Top 5 Plumbing Tasks You Need To Wrap Up NOW

Fall is in full swing, the weather is getting colder, winds are getting drier and days are getting shorter. That could only mean one thing; winter is coming! As the leaves change color and start shedding off the trees, our job is to make sure that our house is fully prepared for winter. Experts recommend that fall and early winter is the right time to check your home’s plumbing system and fix any of the issues to avoid facing drastic consequences with the drop in mercury.

Getting your house ready for winter is neither hectic nor costly, but if you don’t do that, this mistake is going to burn a hole in your pocket. This post is about top plumbing tasks that you must do in fall to prevent many plumbing problems from destroying your house in winter.

Protect the pipes

The best way to avoid freezing up of pipes and bursting is to make sure that they are properly insulated. Any pipe that carries water in or out of your house and is exposed completely to the outdoor temperature, including those in garages, basement/cellar area, etc. should be covered in insulation sleeves.

Also, shut down the valve of any outdoor water source that supplies water to your house and drain the pipe completely to prevent water from freezing inside the pipes and damaging them.

Fix leaky faucets

If you find any leaking faucet or pipe joint in your house, get it fixed immediately. You would be astonished to know the amount of water that can go to waste through a leaking tap.
Also, keep checking all the outdoor spigots throughout fall for any leaks. If possible, shut down the main valve that supplies water to any tap on the outside and drain the pipes. This step is really crucial because if the water stays in the pipe that is in contact with the outside temperature, it can freeze and expand resulting into bursting of the pipe.

Maintain the water heater

Experts recommend that you drain out all the water from the water heater tank at least once a year. If you live in an area with hard water supply, this activity is even more important because it will remove any sediments deposited in the tank. These residues are crucial to removed because they can accumulate near the drain valve and clog it. The sedimentation can also lead to corrosion of the tank from inside and decrease the overall efficiency of the water heater tank.

If you think your water heater is timeworn and is not giving its best performance, it’s better to get it replaced with a new one in the fall only.

For optimum performance and safety set the thermostat of the water heater to 120 degrees F. Remember that higher temperature can cause burns to children and even to adults sometimes.

Check the sump pump

If you have a sump pump in your basement, clean the sump pit and make sure it's working properly. If you live in an area with heavy rainfalls or too much snowfall, it’s better to be certain that your sump pump is in working condition. If you notice any dampness or bad odors, get your pump checked from a professional plumber, and if necessary, replace it in time. If you keep your sump pump well maintained, there is very less risk of its freezing and giving you trouble.

Store away the water hose

Unhook any outdoor hose, drain it properly and store it safely inside the house. If the hose stays connected to the spigot with water in it, the water will start freezing as the mercury drops. This freezing of water can trigger the tap and all the connected pipes to ice up too. It could cause cracks or even bursting of pipes inside your house and ruin your plumbing system. Now, what is more expensive, buying a new garden hose or repairing the destroyed plumbing system of your house? You decide.

These were some of the major plumbing tasks that must be taken care of in fall to prepare your house for winter, but the list doesn't end here. Here are a few more tips to help you:

1. Protect your outdoor faucets and sprinklers by covering them.
2. Keep your gutters clean of leaves and debris to avoid drain clogging. Clogged up drain will cause water overflow which can seep into your basement and cause extensive damage to your property.
3. Keep your bathroom and kitchen drains clean by pouring bleach and hot water in them once a month.
4. Check your roof for any leaks.
5. Get your sewer line cleaned. If you have a septic tank, get it checked by professionals and winterize it.
6. Most importantly, have an emergency plan in case of pipe burst. Draw down a map of your basement and inform everyone in your family about the location of the main valve and how to turn it off in the case of any emergency. It might sound unimportant but knowing these things would save a lot of time, which would help in minimizing the water damage to your property. It’s better to be informed and prepared than to spend thousands of dollars on repairing the damage.

These all tasks that we have listed are pretty easy and do-able. In case you feel something is very wrong, and you don’t know how to fix it, it’s highly recommended that you don't let your DIY birds fly and enhance the damage.

Visit SameDayPros and find the most experienced and trusted plumbing professionals in your area. They are skilled and trained to face these issues and fix them by keeping in mind the safety of your house and your family.

Remember, Ned Stark would have saved his house if only he had prepared it for the winter. Don't make that mistake. Stay prepared, stay safe.

(P.S. Don’t mind the GoT reference. But how could we talk about winter and not mention GoT even once? Right? LOL)

from Same Day Pros blogs http://ift.tt/2c3gIuZ

http://ift.tt/1YQHneP via Top 5 Plumbing Tasks You Need To Wrap Up NOW

Top 12 Fall Maintenance Tasks For Your Home

It’s August, but America is not fall-like yet. You cannot possibly call it fall. Even though it’s like summer was just yesterday, we’re already reaching the end of the first month of Fall, and I’m sure there are plenty of pending tasks in your fall maintenance list. Or maybe you belong to the lot that hasn’t started working on fall maintenance tasks yet. 

Here’s a list of all the essential fall maintenance tasks and why are they important. 

1. Gutter Cleaning: By the end of the next month, a lot of regions in America will start facing massive storms and hence, it’s just the right time to make the gutters ready for the harsh weather. Gutters clog because of the dust and debris. The fallen leaves make it even worse. It’s necessary that you get them cleaned by a professional gutter cleaning service and ensure no clog or damage can cause problems in the coming months.

2. Lawn Care: If your lawn has a cool-season grass, it’s time for you to get active. It’ll need all the nourishment and attention you can give. Fertilization, proper mowing, and cutting back the weeds’ growth are top three lawn care tasks that you need to take care of in fall.

3. Carpet Cleaning: Summer parties may be great to strengthen the bond of your friendship, but they’re certainly not carpet-friendly. Due to heavy traffic and dust, the carpets require some rest and pampering. Consider a proper carpet cleaning by using a suitable method (preferably hot water extraction). Don’t forget that it’s important to maintain discipline and follow some crucial rules to keep your carpet clean and new-like forever. Read more here.

4. Exterior painting: If you want to give some touch-ups to the exterior of your house, it’s the right time to go for it. Choose warm shades to have a perfect look for your home for the colder months. Don’t go for extremely dark shades. They do not look pleasing and make your house feel colder. Just a psychological thing I assume!

5. HVAC maintenance: Fall is also the time to get rid of the issues that are slowing down your HVAC system. I highly recommended that you schedule your annual HVAC maintenance in the fall. You can get pretty good discounts on HVAC repair during fall and why not!

6. Home Cleaning: Of course, how can you even forget it! Just wrap up all the summer related stuff, pack it properly and keep it safely. It’s also a good thing to tweak the color theme around your house to make it seem more fall-like. Hit up Youtube for some fall decor ideas and you’ll find plenty of them.

 

7. Tree Service: If there’s a dense tree around your house, make sure you get it trimmed in fall. In fact, I would say you hire a tree service before you opt for gutter cleaning if the tree branches reach until your roof. If you don’t, the gutters will get clogged on the right next day after you get them professionally cleaned, and I am not kidding! 

Late Fall Maintenance Tasks

8. Furnace Repair: After a few months, you’ll have to use your furnace but are you sure it is ready to save you from the harsh winter? As you do not use a heater for a long time, it’s highly likely that it can develop certain issues due to non-use. That’s why even manufacturers recommend annual maintenance just before the winter season begins.

9. Preventative plumbing maintenance: Ask your local plumber to suggest you measures to prevent frozen pipes. Apparently, it’s required if you face frozen pipes very often. Being prepared in the very beginning will save you from plumbing disasters and trust me! It costs much more to fix a frozen or burst pipe than just spend some bucks to prevent frozen pipes.

10. Dryer vent cleaning: Lint build-up in dryers are one of the biggest causes of house fires. Regular dryer vent cleaning can help you avoid that scary situation. Fall is a good time to do it. 

11. Change the direction of the ceiling fans: Ceiling fans help in circulation of air around your house, and they’re not always meant to be used in summer. You can facilitate the air flow even in winter without feeling too cold. Just ask an electrician to change its direction. 

12. Hire a snow removal company: No, it’s not too early. It’s a dumb idea to wait for the first snowfall to hire a snow removal company. If you live in an area that has snowfall every year, then just finalize a service right now and sit back and enjoy the winter with a cup of hot chocolate.

I know these tasks seem to be a lot. But hey! You don’t have to perform all of these in one day. Just start today and take each task one by one. 

From Same Day Pros Blogs: Top 12 Fall Maintenance Tasks For Your Home

4 Rules To Keep In Mind While Hiring An Electrician

Hiring an electrician could be a risky task, especially when you don't know how to find a reliable contractor. Whether your problem is a complete power failure or you just regular lighting upgrade, an amateur electrician can ruin everything and could cost you a big hole in your pocket. We have listed some of the important points that you must keep in mind while hiring an electrician contractor in your area.

Recommendations

This is the first thing that you should do, ask your family, friends, and neighbors for recommendations on a good electrician. Chances are if they were satisfied by the contractor they hired, you would be too. If none of your friends or neighbors know any good electrician, you can find some local electricians online and check their reviews and ratings. In case you have already hired a contractor, but are skeptical about it, ask them for the reference of their customers in the past. With reference, you can contact a couple of them and ask how they liked the service. 

Get estimates

It's nice to have an estimate from some electricians, while looking for a reliable contractor, to make a choice. But, don't rely entirely on the estimates as they could be confusing. For example, a less expensive contractor could be less experienced as well, and a more experienced one would charge you more, but it would be worth it. Whatever the case may, you have to look for the one that suits you best and has experience of the work you need help with. Discuss any hidden or extra charges before hiring your potential electrician.

Also, make sure you examine the guarantees in detail. What if the problem didn't fix properly and repeated itself? Would they come back and repair it for free? Discuss about the validity of agreement too.

Check the license

After selecting the contractor that you want to hire, make sure he has proper licenses and documents for the service. Ask him for the copy of these documents and verify that they are valid for your area. An unlicensed electrician will be surely less expensive, but in case anything goes wrong, you won't be able to track him down, and your insurance will not cover the damage. Also, make sure the contractor that you hire has the right licenses and permits for the job that need to be done.

Consolidate visits

Electrical contractor charges just to visit your home. So when hiring an electrician, try to make sure that he takes care of as many problems as possible in a single visit. You will surely save some of your time and money this way. 

These were some major points that you must remember while hiring a reliable electrician. SameDayPros provide the best and most reliable, licensed electricians in your area that provide same day services.

5 Things To Know Before Hiring A Snow Removal Company

Hiring a snow removal service could be a difficult job, especially if you don't know the necessary qualities that you should be looking for. Heavy snowfall causes snow to settle on roads and driveways, hence, blocking them, and driving on icy roads is very dangerous. Therefore, the snow should be removed well in time to avoid any mishaps.

Obviously you can take a shovel and start clearing your driveway, lawn and around the house, but it’s really a very tiresome task, and not to mention, risky. The better option is to find a snow removal company and hire them to do the job for you. But, how to find a really good company without any risk of scams? Following are some tips that you must keep in mind while hiring a snow removal.

1. Start looking for the company during offseason: Off-season is the best time to book the service because most of the landscaping service providers offer service during this period and have an extensive list of customers already booked when the winter arrives. If you are planning to wait for the snow to pile up and then you will call them, you should probably start practicing with the shovel. 

2. How to begin the search?: The best way to start searching for such companies is to ask your neighbors, relatives, friends or other known people living in your area. Search on the internet, newspapers, etc., and read reviews. 

3. Questions that you should ask before hiring: This is the most important thing, and it usually skips from our mind. You are going to hire a company, so you need to know if the are suitable for the job or not. Ask them these questions before hiring them.

- Ask them for the snow level that triggers their service. And if it’s higher than what you need, consider changing the company.

- Ask them about the charges. Check the estimate properly and see what services they would be providing you and at what costs. Also, ask for any additional costs.

- Tell your special needs (if any) in advance. Ask for their working procedure and suggest some changes if needed. Remember! You are the customer. Your needs should be prioritized. 

4. Check the company’s license before hiring: There are many fraud companies out there, just waiting to take your money. Don’t fall for such scams. Ask to check the license and ONLY hire a company with a proper license for the services that they provide. Their services would be costly as compared to the scam companies, but it would be hassle free and worth it.

5. Get a written contract: Another very crucial part is to settle the agreement. Even if it’s a licensed company, don't trust a verbal agreement over the telephone. Get proper paperwork done and have a face to face conversation. 

Even though we have told you the most important things to keep in mind while hiring a snow removal service company, still it’s difficult to trust any unknown company with your money. That’s where SameDayPros come in. We have the best and licensed pros waiting to be at your service on the same day.  

Lawn Care and Gardening chores for fall

Forget all the disappointments of the summer season and step into the new season with new hopes and excitement. Lawn care is such a fulfilling task, and it gets better when you do the right things at right time. 

Fall is a season that gives you a chance to fix the wrong things and just make a new beginning. Many may object for there are those pessimistic people who will wait for the next summer to make things right but the wiser ones will follow this list and get started. 

1. Harvest all the summer crops
If you had planted crops in your garden, which you should if you have a huge yard and want to save on water and lawn care expenses, then it’s time to harvest the crops. You should begin the task at the beginning of the August but then the real time of harvesting also depends on when you sowed the seeds in the first place. Keep that in mind and use your sense of judgment to perform this task when the crops are ready for harvesting.

2. Plant the fall crops
Once you’re done with harvesting, you need to plant the fall crops. Pick the plants wisely and plant them on time. Don’t put off this task till late or you’ll regret it later. 

3. Fertilize your lawn
An essential lawn care step is fertilization, and it will be highly dependent on the climate of your area and the kind of grass. If you have warm season grass, skip this step. But if you have cool season grass, you need to buy those fertilizers called “winterize fertilizers” and fertilize your lawn during October and November. The time may still vary and hence it is a good idea to consult a reputable garden center to find out exactly when you should fertilize the lawn. It’s critical as this task will prepare your lawn for the spring. 

4. Clear and mulch the garden
Mulching is a necessary lawn care step, and you should do it while making your garden off the harvested crops and mowing the lawn. 

You might also want to consider using cold frames and constructing hoops. All these steps will prepare your lawn for the onset of winter.

5. Switch off the automatic watering system or alter it
It is the best thing to do to turn off automatic watering system after summer. You will need to water your lawn less often now, and it’s best that you don’t overwater your lawn. Consult a lawn care professional on how many times you need to water the garden if you’re very new it. The reason behind this is that different kinds of grass have different water requirements.

If all of this seems to be a very overwhelming task, just hire a lawn care service. You can easily find the trusted service providers near you using Same Day Pros.

7 Secrets To A Healthy Lawn

Lawn mowing seems like a very simple task, but the real challenge is to make sure that your lawn mowing proves to be beneficial for the grass and not the other way around. A perfectly mowed lawn is healthy, has thick and lush green grass. On the other hand, a poorly mowed lawn is dull and struggles to survive every day.

The following tips about lawn mowing would not only make your lawn healthy but also make you a better lawn owner.

Avoid scalping the lawn

Scalping the lawn means cutting the grass too short. This makes the lawn vulnerable to weed attack and other diseases. Consistent scalping also lead to weak roots, which causes severe damage in high temperature and dry seasons. 

Keep the mower blades sharp

A sharp blade will provide you with the best lawn mowing results by cutting the grass clean and fast. While a dull blade would unevenly tear the grass blades, causing pest infestation in grass. Mower blades should be sharpened after every 3-4 lawn moving sessions. Also, avoid mowing over stones to save your blade from damaging and keep an extra mower blade with you, in case your blade gives up.

Adjust mower height seasonally

You must be thinking, how’s mower height related to seasons? The answer is simple. In summer, the temperature is high, and soil has less moisture, so the tall grass would help in shading the soil and slowing evaporation process from the ground. Hence, the cutting deck should be adjusted higher. In winter and late autumn, the lawn should have shorter grass to prevent the formation of snow mold. Hence, the cutting deck should be adjusted lower.  

Shady lawn

If your lawn is in a shady area, the secret is to keep the grass longer so that the long grass blades could perform better photosynthesis in shade. It will keep your lawn healthy. Learn about lawn mowing frederick.

Do not mow the wet grass

Though mowing a wet lawn is not harmful to the grass, but it doesn't provide good results and has other disadvantages. Wet grass sticks to the blade and could cause uneven cutting. It also fills the mower deck and could clog it. If the grass is wet, so could be soil be. Mowing the grass on a soggy soil could tear up the grass and completely destroy your lawn. So, to avoid all these problems, only mow the lawn when it’s dry.

Change your mowing pattern

The constant mowing of the lawn in the same direction or same pattern leads to soil compaction and ruts. Both these things are responsible for unhealthy grass.

Grasscycling

When you mow the lawn and let the grass clippings lie on the lawn, its called grasscycling. It saves time, money and some of the fertilizer cost too because the grass clippings can fulfill your lawn’s need for fertilizer by up to 30%. All you have to do is replace your lawn mowers blade with a mulching blade. It would cut the grass into tiny pieces which are also good for quick decomposition.

So, these were some basic and easy lawn mowing tips for you. Remember, the key to having a healthy lawn is to mow it right. For many such informative posts and lawn mowing tips from experts, visit SameDayPros.