Winter tip: Remember to clear all door frames of ice and snow to prevent rot and expensive door replacement.
Winter tip: Remember to clear your deck of ice and snow to prevent rot and expensive replacement.
Energy Saving tip: Forced air heating systems: Improve efficiency by reversing register returns when switching from heating to cooling season or vice versa.
Energy Saving tip: Forced air heating systems: Improve efficiency by balancing your supply registers when switching from heating to cooling season or vice versa.
Energy saving & health tip: Forced air heating systems: Have your duct work cleaned every 3-5 years. Cleaning duct work improves air flow efficiency and reduces allergens.
Winterization tip: To avoid a leak or water damage, remember to remove hoses from outdoor spigots when temperatures are expected go below freezing.
Winterization tip: To avoid water intrusion and subsequent mold & rot, evaluate exterior caulking in the late spring & early Fall. Reapply a quality tri-polymer caulking as needed. Generally temperatures should be above 40 degrees when applying caulking.
Winterization tip: Reduce the possibility of water damage to tour home by remembering to clear gutters of debris in the Spring & Fall.
UV and Winterization tip: Seal dry unfinished exterior wood with a high quality paint or sealant. Only apply when temperatures are expected to remain above 50 degrees during the cure time. Generally in Central PA this would be June through August. So that we can accommodate you please schedule early for this service.
UV and Winterization tip: Deck sealing: Wood decks are best sealed in late summer. Decks can be sealed every 3 years if properly cleaned and a high quality sealant is applied, and every year if you are not using a high quality product. Wood can be damaged by pressure washing. It is best to clean decks with chemical cleaners. Decks should be allowed to dry (Including dew) for 1-2 days after they are cleaned. Seal when it has been dry (Including dew) for 1-2 days and will remain dry for 24 hours after application. Seal when temperatures are expected to remain above 50 degrees during the entire cure time. Generally in Central PA this would be June through August. So that we can accommodate you please schedule early for this service.
Roofing tip: Composition shingles should be installed only when temperatures are expected to remain above 70 degrees for 3 consecutive days. Shingles installed during improper conditions will not seal properly. An improperly installed shingles begin to fail in 6-10 years.
Garage door openers:
Replace springs when openers are replaced to reduce wear and tear on operators.
Garage door openers:
Never use a florescent bulb in a garage door opener. Opener damage can occur.
Tips for Homeowners
Applicable Laws
State Wide Building Code – This code is meant to set a minimum standard of construction. It is meant to protect the public health, safety and welfare of individuals when they occupy a structure. This is a minimum standard that all contractors are obligated to follow. We would hope that all contractors exceed this standard.
The State Home Improvement Contractor License Law – This state law applies to anyone who performs more than $5,000 in work each year or jobs of $500 or more. It sets professional standards to follow. Visit the Attorney General's website to review this law and the contactors obligations. Beware, that the Attorney General's office does not verify the contractor submitted information. What it will do is link you to the Contractor License Law so that you can read it and verify that your contractor is operating legally and following recognized professional standards.
Subcontractors: House Bill 400 – This State law is meant to stop companies or individuals who attempt to avoid paying State income tax, Unemployment Compensation, or Worker's Compensation. It applies to those who receive payment for or those who pay for contracting services. If a Sub-contractor works exclusively for only one company or individual, or are not a registered business themselves, they are also in violation of this law. Search "HB400" to review this law.
The EPA Remodelers Lead Safety Law - Any contractor who is interested in working on a home older than 1978, must have this Federal certification. Please visit the EPA website for further information.
