Helpful Home Tips
Seasonal Maintenance Tips
All You Need To Know About HVAC
All You Need To Know About HVAC
Innovative architecture adopts practical and convenient ideology, designs and applications creating intellectual buildings by way of energy and light being conserved via meticulously planned wiring, electronics, furniture, and gears. A contemporary office premise or home is economically and suitably heated, ventilated and air-conditioned creating its own climate in accordance with its inhabitants’ comfort. This insight in design is made possible by systematic brainstorming and execution of HVAC – heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ideology.
As a home owner one of the huge purchases that you would indulge in is the heating and cooling system. Save a few dollar bills by researching for available discounts on the Energy Star certified heating and cooling equipment. This is believed to strictly meet the energy competent strategies set by the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) offering sizeable long–lasting energy savings. HVAC contractors will guide you through the savings calculation for Energy Star heating and cooling system.
On planning a new construction, it would be ideal to have a licensed HVAC contractor appraise the blueprint prior to beginning the construction. This enables him to execute his ideas from the start rendering huge savings in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning expense. Then again, brining him post construction would be limited by the mansion’s structure.
Desiring a modification in the HVAC system may work out costly, but then it becomes necessary particularly in restoring buildings like museums that nestles priceless work of art. Maintaining temperature is imperative in perpetuating sculptures, paintings, and manuscripts. Hiring a special HVAC team with expertise in art conservation would yield best results.
A well certified HVAC contractor would always be preferred, while making a choice albeit being expensive to hire them, but you may rest assured in terms of quality and competent HVAC systems. Where there is convenience and comfort involved in the long run, it is ideal to invest right from the start. Nevertheless, it turns out truly rewarding in terms of repair bills and conserving energy.
Blog Post provided by: Alpharetta HVAC Service
Wouldn’t it be great if you could walk out into a bug free backyard during the late spring and summer time? Mosquitoes and other annoying pests can present quite a problem during the time when most of us want to enjoy our yards, pools and other landscape features. We are outside with our significant other; our kids, family, invited guests and the ravaging mosquitoes ruin the party. If your home is located near a pond or a lake the mosquito problem can become quite severe during the warmest months of the year.
Today, there are great options to control and even eliminate most of the mosquitoes and other annoying insects in your yard. One option is having your yard sprayed by a qualified mosquito control company. Typically, a one-time spraying can help eliminate mosquitoes and other pest for as long as 3 weeks to a month. If you are hosting a wedding, a big pool party or barbeque, having your yard sprayed is an excellent idea.
Another option is install a permanent mosquito control solution. A permanent mosquito control solution should be installed by a qualified professional. These mosquito misting systems will deliver an insecticide periodically and most of the time, a mosquito misting system will effectively eliminate the mosquito problem from your yard.
Are you are staying indoors because mosquitoes have taken over your yard? If so, help is available… look on-line to find a qualified mosquito control company in your area and ask about the temporary or permanent mosquito control solutions that they offer.
Fertilizer Numbers
What do the numbers on fertilizer bags mean??
These numbers are the percentage of Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potassium respectively that are contained in the fertilizer mix. These are the major nutrients needed for healthy soil and plant growth. For example: 18-24-6 means it contains 18% Nitrogen, 24% Phosphate and 6% Potassium – a typical lawn care fertilizer. The fertilizer you choose should be based on what results you want to achieve.
Nitrogen is a building block for protein. It promotes plant growth and helps the plant have a rich green color because hit assists in the production of chlorophyll. The more nitrogen your fertilizer has, the faster it will grow and greener it will be.
Phosphate helps in the formation and growth of roots and cell division. It is advisable to use a fertilizer a good percentage of phosphate when you first plant your tree, plants, flowers or a new lawn.
Potassium is necessary for photosynthesis. It helps strengthen plants against cold and disease. Potassium also promotes healthy roots and fruit formation. Potassium is important as you are going into the winter months!!
When you are choosing a fertilizer, consider what your plant is lacking or how you would like it to look. Then choose the number combination that best fits your needs. You can also get your soil tested by your county extension office. This may be free, but there may also be a nominal fee. This will determine what nutrients are lacking in your soil.
Lastly, too much fertilizer can be harmful to your plants and even cause them to die. Read your labels carefully and follow the recommendations on the label.
Blog Post provided by: Alpharetta GA Lawn Care Specialist
Reasons Behind Leaky Skylights
Skylights are designed for sunlight lovers and are intended to brighten homes with sun, definitely not rain. Skylights are a fabulous addition to any kind of home. If you fit the description of getting depressed devoid of sunlight, then skylights are your best bet in making your home bright and breezy.
Well now, nothing comes without potential for flaws and skylights are no exception and are prone to structural issues. Don’t worry, there are ways and means to make the sun smile back at you. There are myriad of reasons behind a leaky skylight, to name a few – faulty weather seals or the skylight not being closed properly. High ceiling skylights are prone to leaks making it hard to verify if the skylight is closed completely. So it would be vital to ensure proper closure of the skylight first before concluding the reason to be a leak.
Squally Weathers Act against Skylights
Winters can call for accumulation of snow and ice on the skylights resulting in water blockage or build up thereby burdening skylights and resulting in leaks. Living in areas with squally weather conditions like tornadoes, hurricanes and hail storms one can expect hazards of leaks with debris striking the skylight – yet another major concern.
Other Causes
Few other causes of a leak could be from installation flaws. A leak may also be caused by impaired flashing or caulking, leaks occurring from other sources in the home, damaged roof shingles or even inadequate roof repairs. It cam take no time before a leak spreads to the skylight with the damage being on a part of the roof. Periodic checking of the entire roof is always a good recommendation to check for signs of damage. Anything damaging the roof by way of heavy downpour, hailstorms or any mishap can in turn affect the skylight as well.
Blog Post provided by: Roswell GA Roofers
Maintenance Tips For HVAC
A well maintained HVAC system is not just for cost savings but also a ‘go green’ initiative. Various parameters that influence an HVAC system will include:
- Alignment with the building design – Ventilation is a key ingredient to avoiding stagnant air, which is the primary cause for growth in bacteria and microorganisms. HVAC systems could either leverage existing air ducts through a building that supplies conditioned air or be positioned in a location that receives ventilation directly from the external air. The primary source of air has to be clean and free from dust.
- Insulation provided for the covered area- Regulating the internal temperature is achieved through smart and sometimes simple solutions for Insulation. Maintenance checks will have to evaluate the Insulation potential of the surroundings and make necessary changes to the same as appropriate. For example, you could check the color of your blinds as darker colored ones reduce the amount of light and heat coming IN – especially in the summer. Maintaining appropriate window shades or a small fan that can circulate air in an even manner are alternatives to achieving better efficiency.
- Cleaning the filters and removable components- the amount of dust that can get collected in an air filter can be quite surprising. Every HVAC system will have its own manuals explaining the process of removing the air filter, and it is almost always a common place activity that can be done by anyone at home. Accumulation of dust is inversely proportional to the quality of cooling achieved from the HVAC system. It is important to clean the filters periodically and the frequency depends on the locality of your installation. Commercial establishments that are right in the heart of a city will demand more frequent attention in comparison to domestic installations that are farther away from the pollution.
A well maintained HVAC system as mentioned above is a ‘go green’ initiative too. If the predictions associated with global warming have to be true, the best we can do is to delay it by reducing the carbon footprint to the extent we can, to make way for a better tomorrow for our grandchildren and beyond.
Blog Post provided by: Alpharetta GA HVAC Services
Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance
When cold weather arrives or temperatures decrease, our minds turn to warmth; and, what better way to feel that warmth along with the emotional relaxation you crave than to light a fire in your fireplace and lounge before it with a good book or a glass of wine. While, this is a romantic thought, you do need to contemplate the dangers involved in having an indoor fire and make sure your fireplace and chimney are in top-notch shape.
For example, soft woods like maple, elm, or sycamore may not be your best choices for an indoor fire as they burn somewhat brighter, but also faster than hardwoods do. To ensure that you have a slow, hot fire, use hardwoods in your indoor fireplace. Hardwoods that are appropriate for indoor burning include woods like oak, hickory, ash, hard maple and locust.
Make sure your wood is seasoned before you actually burn it. Seasoned wood, a drying process, takes about nine months from the time of the wood’s cutting to be suitable for indoor fireplace use. However, if you split green wood immediately, the time for drying is lessened by about five to six months. Also, check your seasoned wood before you carry it into your home to make sure you aren’t bringing in bug-infested wood.
Another consideration to think about before using your fireplace each season is the condition of your chimney. Call a professional chimney sweep to clean your chimney yearly and check for cracks or a build-up of creosote. You can check this for yourself by using a high-powered flashlight and a mirror. If you can see red or pink brick, your chimney is probably free from creosote; however, if you see black furry debris clinging to the walls of the chimney, you’ll definitely want to have your chimney cleaned before using it.
Other good fireplace practices to follow include:
• Keep your chimney clean and in good repair.
• Use glass doors or a fire screen to contain sparks.
• Make sure you open the damper before building a fire.
• Don’t have furniture, books, or other burnable materials near your fireplace.
• Don’t go to bed or leave while you have a fire burning in your home.
• Don’t leave children unattended in a room where a fire is burning in the fireplace.
• Remove cooled ashes and store them in a metal container.
• Use cured hardwoods, not soft woods.
A crackling fire adds a certain warmth and ambiance to your home. Make sure you use your fireplace wisely and keep it in tip-top shape so you can safely enjoy it’s warmth for years to come.
Many people also have outdoor fireplaces and firepits in their backyards. While the maintenance required for an outdoor fireplace or firepit is less than the maintenance for an indoor fireplace you still need to ensure that your outdoor fireplace or firepit is free of debris and in good working order before you start enjoying fires outdoors.
Gutter Cleaning Tips
The purpose of gutters is to route runoff from a very large surface—your home’s roof—to a place where rain can drain away from your house. As a result, gutters protect your home’s siding, windows, doors, and foundations from water damage as well as help prevent flooding in your basement.
For gutters and downspouts to function properly, they must be clear of leaves and debris. If they are clogged, drain outlets will dam up and rainwater will fill the gutters, back up, overflow, and eventually pull gutters loose from their mountings. In addition, when water pools in the troughs of your gutters, it will result in wood gutters rotting and sheet-metal ones rusting.
You can hire a service to clean your gutters, or save yourself a few bucks and do it yourself. As a general rule, gutters require cleaning at least twice a year, more often if your roof is directly beneath trees or you live in a region with frequent storms. You’ll want to take on a gutter-cleaning task only if you know you can work safely from a ladder or can safely navigate on your roof. If your roof line is higher than a single story, you’re probably better off hiring a professional gutter repair & service technician.
All you’ll need to clean your gutters yourself is a sturdy ladder. To begin, make sure you place your ladder on a firm, level base. You’ll most likely find that a tall stepladder is easier to use than an extension ladder. If you must lean an extension ladder against a gutter, protect the gutter from bending by placing a short piece of 2 by 4 inside it. Be sure to stand on the ladder with your hips between the rails, don’t lean out over the sides of the ladder, and never stand on the top two rungs.
If your roof has a low pitch and you’re comfortable working from the rooftop, you may find that it is easier to work from the roof rather than from a ladder. Only attempt to climb up onto your roof under extremely safe conditions and never climb up on your roof in wet, icy, or windy conditions. Try to wear non-slip shoes, and don’t lean over the edge or work near power lines. Wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands since gutters often have sharp metal parts or screw points sticking out into their troughs.
An alternative method for cleaning gutters, sometimes used by home handymen on low-sloped roofs, is to blow-dry debris out of gutters with a leaf blower. If you chose this method, wear goggles and a dust mask to prevent eye injuries. If you have a leaf-catching gutter system, make sure you remove the leaf-catching screens before cleaning.
Steps to Cleaning Your Gutters
First, scoop out any loose debris in your gutters. Start at a drain outlet at the low end of any gutter, and use a narrow garden trowel to scoop out loose debris. Work away from the drain outlet. Scooping out debris is easiest when the debris is slightly damp and pliable, not soggy or dried and encrusted; therefore, you may want to pick a time to clean when it has rained recently. Scoop the debris into a plastic garbage-can liner for an easy cleanup.
After scooping out the debris, hose out your gutters. Use an on-off high-pressure nozzle mounted at the end of a water hose to wash out each length of gutter. Work toward the drain outlet for easy runoff. Hosing out your gutters is a messy job; try to avoid splattering mud all over your house. Use a stiff scrub brush to break loose encrusted dirt.
Finally, take time to clear out any obstructions in your drainpipes. If water doesn’t drain freely through drainpipes, try flushing debris down them with a hose. Use a plumber’s auger (snake) to free and pull out hard-to-remove debris from the bottom.
Repair Potholes Quickly
Unattended potholes continue to deteriorate and will only get worse over time.
Cracks in the asphalt pavement that allow water infiltration will someday lead to a pothole. Potholes are a result of the asphalt failing, but are largely a result of the base underneath failing prior to the asphalt pavement. The underneath base rock becoming saturated will begin to deteriorate and weaken, thus not being able to support the asphalt pavement surface. This is when the cracks in the asphalt really begin to multiply.
Pothole repairs need to be addressed early. When the asphalt surface beings to severely crack, water can easily penetrate into the underlying base rock and potholes will soon follow. Potholes can be avoided if the severely cracked asphalt is repaired before the asphalt pavement cracks so bad that it begins to break apart and is displaced due to the lack of underlying base support.
Potholes can ruin a good day but the repair can be very simple if caught in enough time. The existing cracked asphalt must be removed from around the damaged area to within 1’ beyond the cracked surface. This will ensure that the deteriorated underlying base is not contaminated due to water infiltration and other chemicals. The base stone will need to be removed is contaminated. The existing stone can be salvaged in most cases but must be properly compacted prior to replacement of the hot mix asphalt. Liquid tack must be placed on the vertical sides of the asphalt area (most cases the asphalt will be saw cut). This will bond the new asphalt with the existing asphalt. The new hot mix asphalt must be properly compacted and you are in business.
Remember to catch potholes early and sometimes even before the asphalt becomes a pothole. A pothole only gets bigger over time increasing the cost of the repair. Early repairs are quicker and less costly.
Green Plumbing Practices
In general, green plumbing practices are practices of making use of environmentally friendly, energy efficient practices in your choice of plumbing materials and the use of those plumbing materials. The goal of these green practices is to conserve our natural resources for the future and improve the environment, or at least not destroying it more than we already have. An added bonus to going green in the plumbing arena is that by conserving energy and water, you not only save the environment but you save money as well.
The top five ways you can make your home more green-plumbing friendly are:
1. Repair leaky faucets. One leaky faucet can waste over twenty gallons of water per day. So, if you are not sure that your pipes, sinks, and toilets are leak-free, contact a qualified plumber to check these out for you and have him/her repair any that are leaking.
2. Use high-efficiency toilets. You can save a lot of money and water by replacing your older or larger tank toilets with smaller high-efficiency tanks. Many of the newer water saving toilets allow for a dual flush feature, enabling you to choose a half flush or a full flush for even more water saving.
3. Insulate your pipes. Homes with piping in exterior walls cause water heat loss during cold months. As water travels from an exterior wall pipe to your faucets, it takes the water longer to warm up as it comes out of your faucet than it does with interior wall piping systems. Installing insulation around these pipes will cut down on this heat loss and save you energy and hot water costs as well.
4. Install low-flow shower heads and faucets. By installing low-flow shower heads and aerators for your sinks, you can limit water flow from shower heads and faucets and save water and money.
5. Replace your old water heater with a tankless water heater. Traditional water tank heaters constantly heat your hot water. Tankless water heaters save energy by heating only the water you need at the moment. Estimates show that tankless water heaters reduce energy costs by up to 40 or 50 percent as compared to water heaters with a tank. An added bonus to tankless water heaters is that you may even be able to get a tax credit for purchasing and installing one. Check with a qualified plumber to determine what type of tankless water heater you should purchase and how to take advantage of any tax credits due you for doing so.
By taking some relatively simple steps to change some plumbing features in your home, you can save money and energy and contribute to preservation of the environment.
Blog post provided by: Marietta GA licensed plumbers
Purchasing a Backyard Pool
Purchasing and installing a backyard pool may be one of the most expensive additions you will ever make to your home. Conducting a bit of research before your purchase, could save you some money and assure you that you have a backyard pool that you will enjoy for years to come.
Your first decision about a backyard pool is whether you want an in-ground pool or an above-ground one. And, while an in-ground pool is luxurious and may add value to your home, the cost can be up to six times that of an above-ground pool. In addition, the material you choose for the construction of an in-ground pool may hike the price even higher. Your choice of materials for an in-ground pool include vinyl-lined, fiberglass or concrete, with concrete being the most expensive as well as the choice that will add the most value to your home. Make sure you choose the pool that best suits your needs as you will have to live with it for a long time.
Once you’ve selected your style and construction material, check-out the local laws governing the placement and safety requirements you must meet to have a pool in your community. These may include a fence around your pool, a pool cover, and/or a minimum light requirement to insure that others are safe when around your pool. Your contractor should be up-to-date on these requirements, but your town hall will have that information if you want to check on it yourself.
In addition to the pool itself, you’ll also want to consider the size and shape of your pool, the possibility of building a pool deck to enhance your pool experiences, the possible addition of a pool-spa, hot tub or whirlpool for your family’s relaxation pleasure, installation of a fountain or waterfall for an interesting ascetic, and pool sheds and cabanas for some shade. The choices are endless in designing your pool area, so make sure you budget for any accessories you want to add to the construction of your new backyard pool area.
Just remember that adding a backyard pool to your home is a major construction project. However, with a little planning, you’ll enjoy the process of building your pool, add value to your home, and make a long-term investment in your family’s summertime fun.
Other factors to consider are the future costs of your new pool. These costs include opening and closing your pool for each season, plumbing and maintaining pumps, lining, and equipment associated with your pool, utility bills and operating costs, and the buying of chemicals (chlorine, shock and pH balancer) to keep your pool water clean.
Blog post provided by: Alpharetta GA swimming pool plumbing service