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There’s no denying it; the summer heat is here to stay. But you can escape it by installing a backyard misting system this summer. These systems can cool your backyard, patio or pool areas by as much as 30 degrees. A mist system or fog effects can make your backyard a cool oasis this summer.
Low-level fog can help drop the temperature of your backyard, allowing you to move around and enjoy your own backyard. Just like misting systems, fog effects are going to lower the ambient temperature. A professional can install fog near planters and around your pool to enhance the cool effects and feel in the area. Why call in the professionals?
- A professional can install a commercial pump system and high pressure tubing that allows the system to pump cool mist out at 1,000 PSI
- An average home can only produce 80 PSI
- Use of stainless steel components
- Installation of a smart pump-this allows multiple zones
- This allows multiple zones
Article submitted by: Aqua Science with over 25 years of experience, call us today at: 602-386-3937 or visit the website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/misting-fogging-systems-aqua-science/
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section for this newsletter to view a special discount offer.
Our pets are a part of our family, so we all want to make sure we care for their needs. Many of us like to install pet doors to allow our pets the freedom to go outside to relieve themselves or to play if we are away from home for a period of time. In fact, most pets need to be let out about every four hours. In Arizona, there are a couple of options, install a pet door in a wall or through a door. There are many things to consider when shopping for a pet door. Read more to learn more, from the experts about some of common questions and errors that may you might encounter.
When shopping for a pet door here are some things to consider:
- What type of materials is the door made of, plastic or aluminum?
- Will the pet door be energy efficient, especially in the middle of our summer heat?
- When away for a long period of time, can the door be locked?
- What kind of warranty is offered on the pet door?
- How sturdy is the pet door? If you have a lot of pets, it may get a lot of use and wear out quickly, so be sure you invest wisely.
- If the door is being installed through a wall, be sure to pick up an extension kit.
Before installing the pet door, make sure there are no electrical outlets or water lines nearby. Moving an outlet requires a licensed electrician. Moving a water line requires a licensed plumber. Some homes even have termite prevention lines installed in the walls.
When measuring your pet for the right size door, you need to measure for a little wider than the widest part of the cat or dog. When measuring for the height, you need to measure from the bottom of the chest to the top of the shoulders. Pets duck their heads as they push open their doggie door or cat door and step through it. So, ideally you should install the dog or cat door with the top of the opening just above your pet’s shoulder. But any position will do as long as you dog or cat can open the door and get through comfortably. A wrong measurement or incorrect cut can be a costly error. Why not contact a professional handyman who can offer suggestions and ensure the job is done correctly the first time?
Article submitted by: Mr. Handyman of the West Valley. Call ToFixIt today at 602-863-4948 or visit the website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/handyman-services/ to find your local professional handyman service.
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section at tofixit.com to view special discounted offers for the handyman in your area.
There is more to a good deal than just low price learn how to protect yourself.
It is that time of the year where we start thinking more about taking care of our home and with the economy the way it is we want to get the best deal possible. All too often people look at price as the primary deal maker when choosing a contractor to do the job.
This is not the best indicator that you have gotten a deal.
You need to do some homework before you make that final decision. I would like to share some tips that have helped me over the years to always come out on top.
Remember this saying “The excitement of low price is long forgotten once the quality of the job comes through”. There are many companies out there who are looking for those customers who price shop everything. Now I am not saying don’t get a second opinion but do your homework and check out the companies who are bidding your project. Here is what you need to know to protect yourself.
- Are they a licensed contractor? Check with the Arizona State Register of Contractors. Be sure the license is still active.
- Be sure they have Liability insurance, Workers Comp. insurance, and are bonded. This will protect you if someone gets hurt or cannot finish the project.
- Check how long they have been in business.
- Do they drug test and verify their employees.
- Ask what brand of products they will be using. If it is a painting project make sure you get the Mfg. name, the product name and the quality of that product. For example ask for 100% acrylic (the better product) verses the Vinyl acrylic.
- Ask if they will be priming the house. Industry standards says, one prime coat and one finish coat is better than two finish coats.
- Verify how they will apply the product and will they allow dry time between coats.
- Always make sure that you get everything in writing. Don’t take a quote verbally or on the back of a card.
- To do business as a contractor in Arizona you have to have a license for any job that is over $1,100.00 in total. They also are required to tell you if they are unlicensed.
- If you chose to do business with an unlicensed contractor they many times ask for cash or the check to be made out to them, this allows them to cheat the system, it is illegal and it could hurt you in the long run. Who do you go to if you have problems, how do you force them to come back and fix a problem? The answer is you don’t so you have to pay again to get the job done right. Low price loses again.
Cheap and quality often do not work in the same sentence. When you are ready to paint the interior or exterior of your home, give us a call.
Article submitted by: Smith Painting who “turns house’s into homes.” Call for your free estimate today or visit the website at http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/painting-interior-exterior.
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section at tofixit.com to view special discounted offers for the professional painting contractor in your area.
A beautiful yard is a reflection of its homeowners. Aren't we striving to have it all? A great job, loving family, nice car, dream home, nice neighborhood and the icing on the cake is a beautifully maintained yard. After spending a lot of money on your residential landscape installation, it only makes sense to protect it and make sure it develops into a lush oasis away from the daily grind. A regular, well thought out landscape maintenance plan is the best way to protect your outdoor investment.
And with the summer months upon us here in Arizona, it can be a daunting task to embark on a full day of yard work when you could be enjoying your yard instead.
- Landscape maintenance begins with lawn service.
- In Arizona, lawns typically need to be trimmed on a weekly basis throughout the spring and summer months and twice a month if not once a month through the fall and winter months.
- We recommend aeration of your lawn at least once a year to ensure proper water saturation but you really can't aerate enough.
Over-seeding with winter rye is a great addition to your maintenance program.
- With winter rye you can have beautiful green grass throughout the winter.
- We recommend scalping, aerating, de-thatching and spreading the winter rye usually early to late October.
Your irrigation system is obviously an important tool in maintaining a beautiful yard.
- Timer boxes can be tricky and difficult to program.
- Your professional landscaper can take the stress out of having to figure out which zone is watering what part of the yard and programming each zone to ensure the correct coverage.
- Trees, plants and shrubs need the right amount of water at the appropriate times to promote healthy growth.
- A professional will have the knowledge needed to adjust the watering schedule that's appropriate for each plant or tree based on the season.
- Fertilization is also a key to having beautiful healthy trees.
Trimming and pruning can be difficult to navigate if you've never done it before or aren't sure if it's a plant that needs to be pruned.
- Some plants need to be trimmed a certain way or at certain times of the year.
- Here in Arizona it's imperative that trees be thinned and/or trimmed before the monsoon season so they don't blow over or break branches and cause damage to property.
Weeds and Bermuda grasses can be very intrusive if you don't get a handle on them before they get out of control.
- A professional can apply commercial grade chemicals that can't be bought at your local hardware store.
It's hard to know all this information, and having a professional to make these choices will ensure that the hard work that goes into your yard will last a long time to come.
Article submitted by Alcoa Landscape Specialists, LLC call ToFixIt today at 602-863-4948 or visit the website at: http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/landscape-maintenance to find your local professional landscape maintenance company.
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section at tofixit.com to view special discounted offers for the professional landscaping maintenance contractor in your area.
It’s that time of year, unfortunately, when the hot weather is upon us. It’s so hot, I saw a bird picking up a worm with a potholder. We all rely on our AC systems to keep us comfortable, but some of you might not have had your system tuned-up yet. Besides changing your filters regularly (at least every other month), everyone should be getting a tune-up. First and foremost, there’s the safety reasons. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends getting your system tuned-up to prevent electrical fires. Secondly, it saves you money.
It save you money not only in costly repairs, but on your utility bill as well. A tune-up can save as much as 30% on your utility bill. Your utility company strongly recommends annual maintenance. And if your system is newer, it’s especially important, as all manufacturer’s warranties require you to prove regular maintenance or they can deny warranty coverage.
It’s important that you do your research when contracting with a company to do your AC tune-up. You’ll want to ask questions as to how thorough the maintenance is. A good tune-up will include 30-40 things they are checking (eg. “40 point” tune-up). Also important is the price. Too low a price, or free tune-ups, can be a red flag as to the quality and possibly other ulterior motives. We’ve all heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for”.
It’s soon going to be so hot, chickens will be laying hard-boiled. So call one of our ToFixIt certified companies for your AC tune-up today at 602-863-4948 or visit the website at http://www.tofixit.com/phoenix/index.php/air-conditioning/
Be sure to visit the Coupon/Promotion section at tofixit.com to view special discounted offers for the handyman in your area
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