Maximizing Energy Savings in Your Home: Choosing the Most Cost-Effective Improvements
Simple measures such as sealing air leaks and caulking around windows and doors can provide a faster payback and a better return on investment for limited budgets. Ultimately, the best strategy is to prioritize the measures that provide the most cost-effective energy savings and the quickest payback period.
How Many Things Are Wrong on This Deck?
According to Code Check “Almost all balcony deck collapses are not the result of exceeding the allowable live load. Rather, they are from the failure of the attachment to the structure or from neglect and rot. All decks should be routinely inspected for deterioration, insect damage, fastener or connector corrosion Read more…
Going away for the holidays? Consider a leak detector to protect your home from costly damage.
Easy and Effective Property Protection: just place near or under the equipment you wish to monitor. Suggested uses are near or under sump pumps, toilets, water heaters, laundry, dishwashers, sinks, fish tanks and any other location subject to leaking and flooding. Early-Warning Notifications: Receive real-time early-warning notifications (in the form Read more…
Common Problems With Chimneys
We always inspect chimneys closely. Be sure to always have your wood burning chimneys swept and inspected regularly. Creosote build-up is one of the leading causes of chimney fires. Always burn seasoned dry wood and avoid smoldering fires to reduce the problem with creosote. Flashing problems A brick chimney should have Read more…
Water Supply Systems Freeze Resistance, Pex, Copper and Sharkbite.
Copper has been the mainstay of plumbing supply systems for decades. While the system is very popular it is particularly susceptible to freezing. Copper plumbing is rigid and does not stretch when ice forms. Water expands approximately 9% when it freezes. Plastic plumbing systems have some stretch to them and Read more…
Take winter by Storm
https://takewinterbystorm.org/king-county/ Seattle City Light offers a very informative winter storm survival site. Great information on emergency preparedness. Tips on making an emergency plan, shutting off utilities, staying healthy, updated transportation schedules, closed roads, flood alerts, school closures, etc. It really is a wealth of vital information. Now is the time Read more…
Freezing Pipe Prevention
Each winter, homes are damaged due to water pipes that freeze and burst. By taking a few simple precautions, you can help save yourself from the mess, money, and headaches of burst frozen pipes. Exposed pipes are more likely to freeze. Insulate pipes in your home’s unconditioned spaces, basement, and Read more…
Septic System Maintenance
Septic systems can be a great alternative to traditional sewer systems. They are more economical, highly efficient, and simply designed. If you have a septic system, make sure you know how to properly maintain it. Absorption Field Never drive over the absorption field with cars, trucks, or heavy equipment. Always Read more…
Furnace Filters: How to Clean a Honeywell Electrostatic Air Filter
My daughter was telling me that her house was cold and furnace was not keeping up with the cold weather. It is not that cold and I knew immediately what the problem was. I told her to clean the air filter. When I told her she was skeptical but Read more…