ToFixIt! Blog

Support local businesses

FixFactsGal — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:59:36 +0000

Have you thought about what do with your tax refund this year? Do you have the funds earmarked for some home improvement spending this year? Why not help keep the sales-tax dollars in our own Phoenix community to support local jobs boosting the city general fund? These funds help pay for many of the services that we take for granted and enjoy in our communities like parks, fire and safety protection and even our public libraries. Phoenix is one of the first municipalities in the country that is adopting a local-first procurement policy to keep tax revenues from being funneled to other states. Use your money wisely or before you know it will be gone! Make a good plan for your money and have something to show off and enjoy for years. It could be as simple as a coat of fresh paint, new carpeting, adding new landscaping or how about updating your bathroom. When you hire local businesses, such as the many locally owned and operated companies referred by ToFixIt you’re supporting your neighbor instead of a corporation somewhere else.

Visit Tofixit.com to locate your local, professional companies for almost any of your home, office, auto and even life’s needs.

Carpet Buying Guide

FixFactsGal — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:12:32 +0000

Comfortable, colorful and versatile are among the many reasons that carpet is one of the most popular types of floor covering. This carpet guide demonstrates how much there is to know about this fashionable and affordable flooring choice.

There’s nothing like the soft feel of a nice carpet. Warm in winter and cool in summer, it makes any room more inviting as a place to relax with friends, place for the kids to play, cozy, yet a stylish place to feel at home. Plus, with so many styles and colors to choose from, it’s easy to find the right carpet for every décor and every taste using this carpet guide.

There are three basic types of carpeting:

Cut Pile
Loop Pile
Cut & Loop Pile

Pile refers to the fiber yarns which are tufted or sewn into the backing. How these yarns are cut and twisted helps determine the texture and durability of the carpet. In addition, most of the fibers are either synthetic or natural wool, which offer varying degrees of wear and stain resistance.

Carpet is also one of the easiest types of flooring to install and maintain. The easy-care features of today’s advanced stain resistant carpets allow you to enjoy a beautiful floor for many years. Simply vacuum regularly, clean up spills promptly and have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
Formal or casual, carpet can add a warm feel to any room. Of course, not every style of carpet is designed for every type application. Read below for recommendations to help you select the best styles for your needs.

For formal settings, both Plush (Velvet) and Saxony carpet styles have a smooth texture with a luxurious look and feel. Saxony is more resilient than Plush, so it can be used in higher traffic areas.
For versatility in casual situations, durable carpet styles like Textured Saxony, curly textured Frieze and popular Berber wear well in playrooms, workrooms, basements and other active areas.
Although Shag carpet offers a relaxed, informal style, its deep, twisted yarn texture tends to mat easily and should only be used in lighter traffic areas.

And for family rooms or other casual rooms where people are on the floor a lot, Cable carpet has a thick, soft texture that wears better than regular shag.

To learn more from the flooring experts with special promotions, visit tofixit.com

Check out your garage door

FixFactsGal — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:23:34 +0000

Did you know that the experts recommend that you do a spring and fall maintenance on your garage doors? A good preventative maintenance strategy is to apply any light weight oil (Lithium Grease Spray or purchase GDL from your garage door company) to the moving parts of the garage door – the rollers and hinges – annually. There are end hinges with rollers, which hold the rollers in the track, as well as center hinges. Lubricate all pivot points to keep the door running smoothly.

Note: While lubricating, you should also check the garage door hardware parts. With repeated use, the hardware on the garage door will tend to loosen over time. This hardware holds a lot of heavy weight (the door), so if you notice any loose screws, bolts or nuts, contact your garage door company prior to tightening any hardware.

Garage door maintenance is often needed on the door opener. If your garage door opener is operated by a chain or drive screw, apply the same lubricant to the full length of the operator rail.

To learn more from tips, services and products from the experts visit ToFixIt.com for most of your home, office, automotive and even life’s needs.

Cool Tools for Your Car

FixFactsGal — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:28:31 +0000

When your A/C is working in the car it is great however, when it starts blowing that warm air or quits working when it is hot outside it can be difficult to pinpoint. The smallest of leaks can cause the air to work for a short period of time and then go out again. This can be very frustrating to you and your mechanic.
A great deal of the time the culprit is an issue is the Freon gas which can’t be seen and is odorless. The air-conditioning system is in the engine system and even runs into the dashboard inside of your car which entails a lot of connections and or fittings where a small leak can result.
However, there is hope. There is a tool that indicates when the refrigerant is in the air by creating an audible beeping sound. It beeps louder and quicker when it is placed near a leaking source.

Some of the problems with this tool are:

freon may already be low to get a proper reading
moving the probe too fast over a small leak
leak detector needs time to really sample the air

Find an expert knowing that the job will be tested thoroughly and fixed right the first time. Visit tofixit.com

Check your spare tire

FixFactsGal — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 23:13:53 +0000

You should always have a functional spare tire ready for emergency use. Forgetting to check the air in the spare tire prior to your trip could be disastrous. It is important to have the proper equipment on hand so that you can swap out the tire.

To learn more expert tips and companies that offer great services and products visit tofixit.com.

ToFixIt has done the homework for you

FixFactsGal — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:09:28 +0000

ToFixIt! is your One Stop Shop for companies you can trust. Having a difficult time finding someone in the business whose products or services you are seeking? Look no further, ToFixIt! has done all of that time consuming homework for you! All ToFixIt! member companies have been pre qualified and adhere to very stringent qualifications. The best part? When you mention ToFixIt!, there are special ToFixIt! discounts*.

Visit tofixit.com to learn more

Quick and easy money saving tips

FixFactsGal — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 18:46:46 +0000

Did you know that with these 3 simple tips from the experts you can start to save money now.

Replace a single drippy faucet which can waste 212 gallons of water per month. Install low flow toilets. This will save you 3.5 gallons per flush.
Install low-flow shower heads to save you between 10% to 16% of water heating costs and reduce your water usage by 20,000 gallons per year.
Install ceiling fans. This will cut air conditioning costs by 40% in summer. Alternatively, in the winter, these ceiling fans work to circulate warm air from the ceiling back down to the floor to save heating cost.

To find great companies for many of your home, office, automotive or life’s needs visit tofixit.com

Winds and pools, not a good combination

FixFactsGal — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:02:41 +0000

High winds can cause issues with your pool.Vegetation surrounding the pool area can also causes big problems for a pool. Too much debris in the pool as a result of windy conditions can cause plugged lines, broken baskets and burned out motors. Keeping your yard well maintained and free of leaves is very important. Also be sure to keep an eye on items that can blow into the pool during high winds and “micro-bursts”. Many pool owners have had the experience of a glass top table blowing into their pool and shattering resulting in the need to call a pool service out to use a portable vacuum system to remove the tiny glass pieces from the pool. If this should happen to you, turn your pool system off immediately and call for professional help to avoid and serious equipment problems.

Visit tofixit.com to find almost any service that you need for your home, office, automobile or even life’s needs.

Children should have spinal examination

FixFactsGal — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:59:17 +0000

Did you know that the experts rcommend that all young children should have a spinal examination at least once a year. If caught early, much can be done for a spinal curvature, avoiding painful procedures like surgery and braces.

It is possible to have structural deviations without pain, but sooner or later, they will usually cause pain and are one of the major causes of osteoarthritis and other degenerative diseases.

To learn more expert tips and great companies contact tofixit.com

Decorative glass; great alternative to traditional glass

FixFactsGal — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:56:15 +0000

Traditional clear glass windows have always done a great job of letting natural light into a room and can offer exceptional views to the world outside your home. But what happens when you’re looking for a more privacy, or you’re just looking for a little something extra to liven up your space? Something more than traditional glass might just be what you need. The alternatives to today’s traditional windows are vast and include many attractive options to choose from.
These days, to add life and an updated feel to a room, you no longer have to settle for a generic clear glass window. Most homeowners, who choose to replace existing windows with decorative glass varieties, do so to improve both the function and look. And the benefits to these types of windows are limitless from increased privacy, to energy efficiency, to simple updated décor.

Because decorative glass windows add a stylish flare, use them in a highly visible place. You can transform entry ways, brighten bathrooms, jazz up kitchens, and modernize bedrooms. Through it all, don’t forget to add your own design. This is where the fun begins, there a wide variety of architectural styles to choose from (including floral, renaissance, craftsman, fleur-de-lis, geometric and cathedral to name just a few).

If you’re looking to enhance the look of a room, think beyond traditional window treatments. Consider window enhancements that can often serve as an investment to the aesthetics and value of your home. A reliable window and glass company can consult with you on the options for your space and help you choose a window enhancement best designed for your needs and budget.

Visit tofixit.com to learn more great tips, services and products that you may need for your home, office, automotive and even life’s needs.