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If you have owned a home in Arizona for any length of time you likely have spent quite a bit of time and money in the remodel business. That is remodeling your own home. No matter the remodeling project most people never consider the roof. Roofs just aren’t, well…sexy.
Flash-forward a few years, things have changed. Remodeling is certainly not the hobby it used to be mostly because we are reluctant to over invest in our homes. Some schools of thought are that our homes were never supposed to be short term investments. Not too long ago there were even tax penalties for capital gains if you sold your home more than once in a lifetime. Perhaps it is time for a little perspective. When we lived in our homes for a lifetime, we protected them to last a lifetime.
So now that we have gained some perspective. What does matter? Especially now, when we are most reluctant to over spend on our homes is when the primary expenditures should be with a goal of protecting the home, its systems and its contents. Preventing larger expenses like leaks, water soaked drywall and even mold is the new hot trend. Don’t wait for the roof to fail before you take action to protect that investment.
Here are some hot tips to keep you roof system fully functioning allowing you to avoid the bigger expensive associated with roof failure.
- Appreciate your roof: This is the structure that protects all the other systems in your home.
- Flat roofs: A flat roof well maintained has the sustainability to last indefinitely. A flat roof should have some maintenance every 5 years. Maintenance should include removal of debris, re-sealing of penetrations and in most cases repairs and coating. Ignored and your small maintenance expenditure could every turn into a larger re-roof expenditure.
- Tiles roofs: This is the classic good news, bad news scenario. The good news is the tile will likely last you a lifetime, but the bad news is your underlayment should be looked at every 10-12 years. The underlayment is the waterproofing component. Heads up: due to economic conditions many tile manufacturers have gone out of business- this caused difficulty in finding tile matches to many existing roofs. When tile is removed to replace the underlayment- tiles will be broken. Your licensed roofing contractor will be able to identify if this will be a problem for your particular roof.
- Shingle roofs: Although most shingles these days come with lengthy warranties, the truth is maintenance is not only the key to protecting the roof, but the key to keeping those warranties in place. We recommend Shingle roofs should be evaluated every 5-8 years. Roofs should be cleared of debris, penetrations should be resealed every 5 years or so, and if you are going to have solar, cable or new HVAC installed be sure to have the new roof penetrations handled by a licensed roofing contractor.
- Remember: protecting the roof is protecting the house- your home. Hire a reputable, licensed Arizona Roofing contractor. It matters!
Article submitted by: Lyons Roofing
To learn more great tips and schedule your roof inspections visit http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/roofing/ or call 602-863-4948.
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section for this newsletter to view special discount offer.
Keep cool this summer without the high electric bills.
Watch out, the sizzling summer heat is right around the corner, and for most people that means much higher electric bills. Did you know that the majority of your electric bill, often over 60%, is a directly related to your air conditioning system? Below are 5 simple ways to lower your electric bill without giving into the heat:
- Turn Off/Down Your Air Conditioning Unit When No One Is Home
Many people do this by manually adjusting the thermostat, knowing that when they arrive home it is going to be hot until the air conditioner can cool off the house. While you are out and the home is vacant, there is no need for your air conditioner to be constantly running. A programmable thermostat can easily be programmed to allow the house to heat up when you are gone, but cool down the house shortly before you arrive home. It can also be programmed to be changed multiple times throughout the day and week if you prefer it even cooler when you sleep or if you want the house a little warmer when you step out of the shower. This can save you a lot of money and really make your life easier.
- Seal Your Home
It is important to effectively seal your windows, doors and duct system. Why pay to air condition the attic or outside, but all too often that is exactly what you are doing. Investing in double pane windows might also be a good idea, especially if you have a lot of windows facing east or west in your home. Keep the cool air in and the hot air out any way possible.
- Insulate Your Attic and Garage
Insulating your attic and garage door can have a major impact on your electric bills. Many homes are significantly under insulated which allows the heat from outside to find a way to seep into the home and make the air conditioner work harder and use more electricity. Insulation is inexpensive and can quickly pay for itself in savings.
- Ceiling Fans Are Your Friend
Although ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature of your home, they can make it feel considerably cooler. They are relatively inexpensive to install and require little energy to run. You may not want to invest in a ceiling fan for every room but a fan in each one of your key rooms may significantly affect your comfort and help reduce your utility bills.
- Consider Upgrading Your Air Conditioning Unit
Much like cars, air conditioning units have become more and more efficient over the years and can help provide savings on your utility bills. You may find that you’re A/C unit runs more like a Hummer when you probably want it to run like a Prius (especially since you can’t show off an A/C unit to the neighbors.) Most of the time, your investment can pay for itself (through rebates, tax credits, repair savings and monthly savings) in just a few years, especially if you have an older system (10 years or more). Not to mention they often run quieter, cool your home faster and will reduce the risk of repairs or breakdowns in the middle of the summer.
Article submitted by: Parker and Sons, Inc.
To learn more great A/C tips or schedule your appointment today visit: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/air-conditioning/ or call 602-863-4948
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section for this newsletter to view special discount offer.
Why do pests come into our homes? It is simple; they are searching for food, shelter or surroundings with the right humidity and temperatures to breed. Did you know that licensed pest companies have the ability to obtain better quality products that can be more powerful and safer to use in areas where children and pets are located?
While in most cases “do it yourself” works perfectly fine, when it comes to pest control it is very important to contact a pest professional. Why, do you ask? Knowledge. A state certified pest professional has the level of knowledge that is required to solve your pest problems using Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life-cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most cost-effective means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment. Most people nowadays want to use less pesticide to control a problem, the “going green” movement. This is much harder to do on your own. A technician, or certified professional, has the ability to diagnose the problem and may know of a way to control your issue using less chemical or none at all. Also, licensed pest companies have the ability to obtain better quality products that can be more powerful and safer to use in areas where children and pets are located. Always remember, when hiring a pest control company, ask a lot of questions. You might learn something new and are able to test their knowledge.
Why do pests come into our homes? It is simple; they are searching for food, shelter or surroundings with the right humidity and temperatures to breed. Here are a few steps you can take to help prevent common household pests from becoming a big issue in your home.
- Seal all cracks & crevices
- Correct drainage in house plants
- Rinse food containers, do not leave in sink
- Clean up spilled food & water
- Clean areas that collect grease, food scraps, etc.
- Remove unnecessary storage boxes (these provide great hiding spots)
Good housekeeping goes a long way in the prevention of pest challenges.
Article submitted by: Burns Pest Elimination
Learn more about a "pest free summer" at 602-863-4948 or visit: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/pest-control-elimination/.
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section for this newsletter to view special discount offer.
This is the time of year that family and friends gather around in the backyard to enjoy the great weather. Now is the time to upgrade your leisure space with a variety of shade options. Add shade and beauty while improving the value of your home, saving on utility bills, and protecting your indoor furnishings. Attractive retractable awnings can help you enjoy the shade when you need it or the sun when you want it. With hundreds of fashion-fabric colors and patterns to choose from, you can create a new festive outdoor living area and functional elegance for your patio or deck. Learn more about the many options now available to offer shade in your yard today.
With aluminum lattice patio covers, you and your family can spend all your time enjoying your outdoor living space and zero time worrying about it. There is no painting and no warping or cracking (guaranteed). These patio covers are constructed from heavy gauge, top of the line aluminum that gives you the look of traditional building materials without the hassle, maintenance and replacements costs associated with wood. Choose from multiple styles that are custom built to accent your home.
Now you can enjoy the shade when you need it or the sun when you want it. With hundreds of fashion-fabric colors and patterns to choose from, you can create a new festive outdoor living area and functional elegance for your patio or deck. The solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are strong and water-repellent. These awnings are ease to use, fully retractable, superb lasting quality with aluminum and galvanized steel frames with an attractive electrostatic powder coated finish.
Turn your dreams into reality and install a solid or open lattice patio cover or retractable cloth awning.
Article Submitted by: Ryse Construction
Visit their website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/patio-covers-enclosures/ or call 602-707-6678
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section for this newsletter to view special discount offer.
Summer is almost here, hurry and order your sunscreens now. Sunscreens are window shades that offer numerous benefits.
- Help remove glare
- Keep your home cooler
- Save on your electricity bill
- Daytime privacy
They can help the average homeowner save up to 30%. They don’t block out the view, sunscreens allow full visibility. You can see out but people cannot see in through the screens. They block out about 80-90% of the sun’s heat and its harmful rays.
Not only do sunscreens help you save money by reducing your electric bill they may help extend the life of your furniture by reducing the amount of fading from the sun’s ray that enter through your windows. The costs of sunscreens are quickly recovered by the saving on your electric bill and fewer repairs on your air conditioner due to the reduction operational load. They block out the heat but still allow the air to flow into the home on those nice breezy days.
Many sunscreens have great warranties and are recommended by many utility companies because 48% of the heat that enters your home is through the glass on your window. Why wait until the hot summer weather arrives and you receive another high utility bill, order your sunscreens today.
Article submitted by: CC Sunscreens
Call today to find your local sunscreen company at 602-863-4948 or visit http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/sun-screen-solar-screen/
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section for this newsletter to view special discount offer.
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