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Locating Water Leaks Before They Cause Damage

Feb 192012

Water Leaks – A Little Water Can Go a Long Way

Plumbing under kitchen sink A small water leak that may seem insignificant can cause a great deal of damage if left unchecked. There are many places in your home where water leaks can occur and not be noticed. If you ever see a drip you should not delay in having it repaired. Sometimes water leaks are not obvious and go unnoticed until serious damage has been done. As in this photo, clutter under sinks can hide a water leak and any damage being done to the bottom of the cabinet. This slip joint type plumbing is commonly used for kitchen sink drains and is prone to leakage. It is very common to find leaks under kitchen sinks. Water will seek the lowest point of a surface and puddle in that low point. If there is an opening, the water will keep traveling until it is trapped. This is where the most damage will occur. So, there could be rotted wood caused by water leaking from a different location.
Homeowners should check for leaks about once a year as part of a routine maintenance plan.

Check the valves and supply lines under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. If you have slip joint pvc drain pipes, check all of the threaded nut for tightness. These should only be hand tight plus about 1/8 turn. Don’t over tighten.
Check the valves, supply lines and drain hose behind your washing machine. I have seen many rotten floors caused by water leaks behind washing machines.
Check the valves, supply lines and connections at your water heater.
If you have an HVAC split system, check the indoor unit for proper condensation drainage. These are typically in the attic or in a closet and produce a lot of water in hot weather.
Check toilet valves and supply lines. If your toilet is loose where it meets the floor, it could be leaking and needs attention. Also, check that the water stops after the toilet is flushed and the tank is full. A toilet that constantly runs can waste a lot of water over time and cost a lot.

Never ignore any water leaks you find or notice. Call a qualified plumber asap and have the leaks fixed.

Bosch MX25EC-21 2.5-Amp Oscillating Tool Review

Power Tools, Trades No Responses »

Feb 112012

Oscillating Tool is Worth it’s Weight in Gold

I first saw an oscillating tool years ago on TV and thought about buying one but didn’t. I have to say, if you are hesitant like I was, you should add this jewel to your collection of tools immediately. Once you have an oscillating tool you will wonder how you ever survived without one.This tool has so many unique abilities that it’s unbelievable. I continually discover new uses for mine and use it almost daily.

The Bosch MX25EC-21 2.5 Amp

This tool has the power to perform in the toughest situations. The Bosch MX25EC-21 2.5-Amp Oscillating Tool in my opinion is second to none. I have put mine to the test in a 100+ degree attic. I actually cut drywall screws between drywall and ceiling joists without damaging the drywall. Then I was able to cut out a portion of the 2 x 4 joists, again, without doing any damage to the drywall. If I tried to pull this off with a saws all, there would have been drywall repair for sure. Bottom line; the powerful 2.5 amp motor passes the test. As a professional that must have reliable tools for my trade, Bosch always fills the bill. The variable speed dial provides more control for delicate operations. The speed setting is very accurate and consistent. When you plow into material the tool maintains a constant speed instead of bogging down. I like the dial design because you can set it to a specific speed and just turn it on. There is no trigger, just on or off. The extra weight is a sign of quality. The Bosch MX25EC-21 2.5-Amp Oscillating Tool is a little heavy for it’s size but for me this means better control and that this tool is well made. The size is perfect for getting into tight places but still big enough to control easily. This tool is incredibly easy to use. The blades are quick and easy to change. An allen head bolt holds the blade securely in place. With the provided adapter you can use blades made for just about any other brand oscillating tool. The extra long power cord is nice. The Bosch MX25EC-21 2.5-Amp Oscillating Tool sports an 8.5 foot cord eliminating the need for an extension in many cases. I think this is the most versatile tool I have ever owned and would highly recommend it. I have used it for cutting, scraping, sanding, tile repair, demolition, fine woodwork, remodeling, electrical work, plumbing and the list just goes on and on and on.
[xrr rating=5/5]

Tips to Extend The Life of Your Appliances

Homeowner Tips No Responses »

Feb 032012

Have You Looked Under Your Refrigerator Lately?

Keep appliances clean for extended service life If your refrigerator looks like this one, it needs to be cleaned. Appliance cleaning should be performed by a qualified professional. This should not be expensive and will most likely increase the life of your appliance and reduce energy costs.

Most major appliances generate heat during operation and need proper air flow to keep cool. Accumulated dust and dirt can block airways and trap heat causing undue stress on components and premature failure. Appliances like refrigerators, freezers, air and heating systems, should be professionally cleaned annually. Clothes dryer ducting should be checked annually and cleaned if necessary. A local appliance repair shop can perform these services for you at a reasonable cost. This pays for itself because your appliances will have a longer service life and cleaner appliances run more efficient.

Appliances Have To Breathe

Airflow is important in maintaining the health of your major appliances. Proper clearances from walls, cabinets and other objects should not be ignored. The appliance owner’s manual will specify minimum clearances.

Shrubs and other plants should be kept away from heating and air conditioning units. Do not allow weeds and brush to grow around your AC units. Not only will this increase the efficiency and lifespan of the unit, it will result in lower energy costs.

Electrical Hazards

NEVER use an extension cord with an appliance or window air conditioner. Not only is this a fire hazard but it will kill your appliance quicker than anything else. If the cord provided with the appliance is not long enough, you should have a qualified electrician to install an outlet for you.

NEVER break off the ground prong on the plug. If your appliance or window air conditioner has a three pronged plug and your outlet only has two holes, you should call an electrician. NEVER use an adapter to solve this problem. An appliance that is improperly grounded is severely dangerous!

Water Heater Mainenance

An annual flushing of your water heater tank can significantly increase it’s lifespan and lower energy costs. What happens is sediment builds up in the bottom of the water tank and takes up space. This is space where water is supposed be. If your water heater is filling up with sediment, you won’t have as much hot water available. Some might say this is not worth fooling with, but there are other reasons for having your water heater flushed. The sediment buildup can cause tank corrosion leading to premature failure and leakage. A leaking water heater tank could flood your home before you know it.

Water heater flushing should be performed by a qualified professional and should be part of your annual routine home maintenance plan.

The Best Power Tools

Power Tools No Responses »

Jan 262012

Should I Buy Two of These?

Not a bad idea for power tools that are used daily in your trade. Or you could just buy better quality. The fact is, things are just not made as good as they used to be. I purchased a used reciprocating saw from a flea market and used it for 20 years. Since this saw delivered for so long, when it finally broke down I wanted another one just like it. I was amazed that the same exact saw, brand new, was actually priced cheaper than the used one from 20 years ago. After just 2 weeks of service from my new saw, I knew why it was cheaper. I went through these saws almost as fast as I used up the blades until I finally bought a high dollar one. Today, if you want quality tools, you have to pay. I have a mitre saw in my shop that is almost 30 years old. This saw is made of cast iron and cost about $300 new. I have never had to adjust it and replaced the drive belt only once. The new model is made of aluminum and costs about $80. I retired my old mitre saw and bought a new one because the weight difference appealed to me. I must say, the lighter version was much easier to handle but inferior in every other aspect. This saw barely made it a year. My 80lb dinosaur is still in the shop and I spent $300 to get another quality saw. I have had enough of the cheap stuff. When tools break down on the job, it costs money in more ways than one. Someone has to stop what they are doing to go buy a replacement. Trips to the store waste time, and time really is money. This is why it pays to buy the best tools in the first place.

The Best Brands

I have spent hundreds of dollars on different brand power tools to find the best quality that suits my needs. In my experience I have learned that one brand is not suitable for every type job because personal preference is a contributing factor. For example, you have the absolute best drill in the world but it is too heavy for the job you do or the grip is too small for your hand. You drill overhead all day and you need something lightweight and comfortable as well as reliable. So how do you figure out which tool to buy without wasting money? I think the best place to start is online reviews. Read what other people have to say about the power tools you are wanting to buy. If you are going to spend the extra money to buy the best power tools, find out as much information as you can before making a purchase.

Other Things to Consider

Something often overlooked is the motor amperage. If the motor is of a higher amp then it will require a heavier gauge extension cord than a lower amp motor. If you do a job that requires a long extension cord and you prefer the lighter gauge, it may be best that you don’t use the heaviest model tool. Running a high amp power tool with an extension cord that is too small will shorten the life of the tool and overload the electrical circuit. Since I usually have a nearby power source in my profession and I never use less than a 12 gauge extension cord, I always consider the higher amp power tools. When you buy a new power tool look in the manual for a chart with the extension cord specs.

Refurbished or Reconditioned Power Tools

I am a firm believer in factory refurbished or reconditioned tools. These are items that have been purchased and returned. The manufacturer will inspect, test, clean and repair as necessary then sell at a discounted price. Reconditioned power tools usually have the same warranty as the new ones. I have saved a lot of money buying these tools and have never had any issues with them.

How to Market Your Service Business with a Business Website

Business Tools No Responses »

Jan 082012

You Need a Business Website

A Business Website is Critical in Today’s Business Markets
Having a business website is a must for businesses in today’s electronic world. More people than ever rely on computers and mobile phones to find service providers. If you have a business in the service industry, a business website could be a great asset. With the help of advanced software, building and setting up a business website is really easy. A reputable website hosting company will offer website building software for free with your hosting subscription. This is the best route for those who know little or nothing about code or programming.
Some key benefits of having a website for your service business include:

Provide potential customers a source of information about your company and it’s services.
Show off your completed jobs with photo galleries and blogs.
Display comments of previous customers.
Reach potential customers beyond your local service area.

Set Up Your New Business Website Properly

Most Good Things Require Effort
The first thing you have to do is pick your domain name. This is not easy as most of the best names are already taken. Keep in mind the importance of the name when you choose. One reason this is so important is that search engines take into account the relationship between your domain name and the subject matter of your site. In other words, if your business is repairing houses, you would want that reflected in your domain. For example, houserepair.something or irepairhouses.something, not myrealcooolsite or myserviceco. Another reason is that you want your domain to be easy for people to remember. Don’t settle in this area. Keep trying until you find a name that is available and suites your needs. It is well worth the effort.

Search Engines Eat Content and Keywords for Breakfast
Once you have selected a website hosting company and chose your new domain, the next step is adding content to your new business website. Content will get you indexed in search results so people can find you. This is an area where more does not necessarily mean better. Quality is equally as important as quantity. What you want is content that is rich in relevant keywords and tons of it. You need content that is relevant to your sites purpose. Search engines feed off of quality textual content but they don’t like eating junk food, they spit that right out. Give the search engines what they want and you will be rewarded.

Your Content Has To Be People Friendly Too
When a potential customer visits your business website, the first couple of seconds determine whether they stay or go. The visitor may land on any one of your pages that are indexed in the search engines. You want to keep the visitor on your site as long as possible and ultimately make the decision to call you for an appointment. Always keep this in mind when creating your content. A good rule of thumb when creating content for your business website is to imagine you are the visitor. Would you be interested? If not, chances are no one else would either. Keep your messages to the visitor informative and to the point. Remember, you only have seconds to spark an interest.

If You Build It They Won’t Come
OK, you have a great domain name and you have some interesting content on your new business website. Now you need visitors. And not just any visitors. You need visitors that are looking for what you are offering. Targeted traffic is what you need. This is the tricky part. Just because you have the best business website on the planet does not mean you will automatically have traffic. You can always pay for advertising but there is also a lot you can do for free:

Remember to stay focused when writing content and include keywords as often as possible.
Add fresh new content to your business website often. Search engines will frequently check your business website for new content. The more you feed them the more they like you.
Always use alternate text for images. The search engines use this to index your images.
Look for free business advertising online. Sign up for directories that link to your business website. This should improve your popularity online.
Use accurate titles and descriptions and include keywords in them when creating pages for your business website.
Remember keywords should always be relevant to your site’s content.
Always seek new information on website marketing. Look for new marketing strategies and resources.

Don’t Set It and Forget It
Think of your business website as a tool. It will require maintenance and upkeep. Always keep information up to date and keep adding fresh content.

A Real Handyman

Trades 2 Responses »

Dec 132011

Shoot, I can do that.
Can anyone can be a professional handyman? “Just give me a truck and a few tools and I can do that”. “Oh yea, I’ll need some business cards, then I’ll be in business”. This is why the handyman industry gets a black eye. Just because a guy helped his Uncle paint the bedroom when he was a kid, does not mean he knows how to repair houses. How can a homeowner trust someone to work on their house with all the horror stories out there? The answer is simple, they won’t unless the handyman is a qualified professional.

There is a lot to learn.
A true handyman is experienced and knowledgeable about every aspect of house construction, maintenance and repair. It takes years of hands on to gain the experience necessary to be a professional handyman. The fact is, a handyman never stops learning. There are always new products, tools and techniques to consider. There are always going to be new and updated building codes. There is always something unique when you think you have seen it all.

Professional Handyman?
A professional handyman will always want to do things the right way. This includes following state and local laws regarding handyman work. A professional should be licensed and insured. All handyman professionals should have written contracts that specify every aspect of a job. Customers appreciate having things in writing. Above all, a professional will not take on a task he is not comfortable with or qualified to do just to get the job.