Tag: Repairs

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 4, 2025
No Comments on Fixing Things After A Storm

Getting A Repairman

Getting a repairman after a horrible storm is not an easy task, as they get booked up quickly. I have a repairman whom I have had for several years, and he is excellent at his work. He is swamped, of course, so it takes a while before he can get your job completed, but he is worth the wait. Have a standing agreement with your repairman, such as having him make repairs for you on a yearly or regular basis.

Get References If You Have Never Hired The Person Before

A woman told me she hired a roofer and he put nails right through the sheetrock in her home. Another party had the roofer lay the new shingles over the old ones, even though it was supposed to be a complete tear-off. I had a roofer who hired a lot of men, and they were all working in the same area. The whole overhang fell off. Luckily, I had witnesses of the event, and he fixed it up to inspection standards by the city. We had hired a carpenter years ago, and he wanted to cut around the light fixtures to put up new ceiling tile instead of taking them down first and cutting a small hole for the wires—some workers you have to keep an eye on constantly. I also like to watch workers so I can learn how to make the repairs myself.

Tree Services

I have an excellent tree service now, and their work is superb. Some tree services try to charge women three times the amount they would charge a man. Women ask the men in your neighborhood what they are paying for tree removal or trimming similar to what you want done, so you will not be fleeced.

Keep A Journal Of Their Work Hours

I keep track of their hours, and before they leave for the day, we agree on their hours to avoid any surprises when it comes time to pay them. Some workers will sit around and do nothing and expect you to pay them for that.

Make it Crystal Clear On What You Want Your Worker To Do.

If you do not tell your worker what color or quality of material you want him to buy, that is your problem, as you did not specify.

Electrican

I have had the same electrician for many years, and he does top-quality work, and that is what you want when it comes to electrical repairs. Faulty wiring can lead to your house burning down. Having an electrician who has worked for you for years ensures that he will come ASAP if you lose your wiring mast that leads to your house in a horrible storm.

Plumber, Heating, And AC

I have an excellent plumber, heating, and AC company that takes care of my repairs quickly. Lightning hit my AC in a summer storm, and they had a new AC in three days. Establish a good relationship with your maintenance specialists and tell them that you love the top-quality work that they do for you.

Tags Repairmen, Repairs, roof, storm damage, tips, tree removal, wiring

Household Appliances Upkeep

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date September 23, 2024
No Comments on Household Appliances Upkeep

Small Appliances

I regularly empty my toaster’s crumbs and check the elements to ensure they are intact. Also, check all your appliances’ cords to avoid fraying. I take my blender apart and ensure the blades are clean and move freely. Check your mixers to make sure the whips are not bent and that they are operating correctly. If you have older toaster ovens, ensure they are heating to the proper temperature. They may be heating too high; if they are, it is time for a new one.

Washing Machines And Clothes Dryers

Please do not overload your washing machine, as this will make it wear out much faster and may damage the agitator and the gasket. Clean your washing machine with a cleaner to remove all the gunk and grime that collects inside and outside the drum. If you start getting oil on your clothes, the seal and gasket have failed, and you might as well buy a new washing machine. You must remove the lint after each use with clothes dryers if you want them to operate efficiently. Never overload your clothes dryer as it will run too long and may overheat. Ensure the outside vent is clean, as many clothes dryer fires start because the lint catches on fire, and no air can circulate with a plugged vent. Clothes dryers tend to last a long time with maybe only a new belt around the drum or a new ignitor in gas dryers.

Refrigerators And Freezers

Do not overload your refrigerator or freezer, as air needs to circulate freely to keep everything cool. Do not place significant things next to the door, as they may fall, and you will come home to an open appliance door and lots of spoiled food. If your appliance needs R134a, you might as well buy a new one, as your bill will be at least $400.00 for the appliance coolant. Keep the air vents clear in the freezer section of your refrigerator so air can circulate freely and your refrigerator will last much longer. You may need a new seal on your appliance if the old one becomes dry and brittle.

Dehumidifiers

Clean out all the vents on your dehumidifiers, as they will run more efficiently and last much longer. Ensure you buy a dehumidifier large enough for your house; if you do not, it will run and run and probably overheat. If it runs out of coolant or needs a new fan motor, buy a new one, which will be cheaper in the long run.

Air Purifiers

When your air purifier’s filters need to be cleaned, do it immediately. This will make your air purifier work correctly and efficiently. I had to oil the cylinder in mine, and then it was quiet as a church mouse. Remember to replace the charcoal filters when necessary.

Portable ACs

Always clean the vents of your portable ACs and make sure the drain is clear. When storing them, ensure all the water is out so mold will not grow in them the next time you need them. Always plug them directly into your socket, and do not use an extension cord or a surge strip.

Tags appliances big and small, Cleaning, Repairs

Keep Up Your Home

Roofs

Most roofs today last around 30 years, give or take. I put a 50-year shingle on my home that is resistant to wind, hail, and water buildup. I put some 50-year shingles on my garage years ago and had only one shingle tar down after 20 years had passed. I put 25-year shingles on a building, which were worn out in twenty years. Buy top-quality brand shingles if you want them to stand the test of time. Hire someone that has been in the roofing business for years and is not a fly-by-night person. Make sure your shingles come with a written warranty, and realize if they go out of business, so does your warranty on the shingles. If your home has a lot of valleys or cupolas, make sure your roofer knows how to shingle and caulk around those. I had one roofer that did not know how to do any roof except for a ranch house. A thick grade of steel roofing is good on farm buildings and homes.

Wiring

Keep the wiring up to date in your home, as bad wires could lead to fires. Hire a qualified electrician with years of experience. I have had the same electrician for years. He put new wiring in my home along with circuit breakers. He has installed ceiling fans, GFI plugs, and several main poles in the rental houses I once owned. I had a bad thermostat wire that he could not find once; otherwise, his work has been perfect over the years.

Porches And Decks

I make sure I stain my deck floor every year with an oil stain, as oil stands up much better than latex stain. Porches need the ceiling repainted every so often, along with new deck boards. Make sure your carpenter uses thick enough boards for the floor. If your boards are thin and not water treated, your floor must be replaced within five years because it will be rotten.

Siding

Wood siding will get so no paint will adhere to it eventually, or it will rot out over time. I had vinyl siding put on my home and some of the rentals I used to own. I have had good luck with vinyl siding over the years. Hire a qualified siding installer and get a written warranty from them for the siding.

Windows

I put all new vinyl windows in my home and some of the rentals I used to own. Old wood windows start to rot out or get water logged on the bottom part o the window. The wood windows also get bowed down where they hinge together. I like to use brand-name windows and windows at a medium price. Never buy cheap windows, as you get what you pay for. Hire a professional company that has professional installers. If you hire a run-of-the-mile person, you may not have enough insolation installed around your windows, and you may have quite a draft coming through your brand-new windows.

Bathrooms And Kitchens

At some point, you will want to upgrade your bathroom or kitchen. I have had new countertops put in over the years and had cupboards repaired or replaced. I went to a lumber store and picked out what I wanted, and my carpenter installed them. My bathroom only had a tub, and I had a tub surround installed and a shower. You will need new faucets and the plumbing maintained throughout your home. The older one gets, the more upgrades your bathroom may require. You may want to have a walk-in tub put in someday or a walk-in shower.

Heating And Water Heaters

I had a new tankless water heater installed recently that I purchased from a lumber store. I also had several new furnaces installed by professionals. New furnaces and water heaters only last about twelve years anymore. Keep up your home regularly so you do not have to spend all of your money at once on costly repairs. Be savvy and smart about who you hire for your home repairs.

Tags Carpentry, remodeling, Repairs, tips