Amazing Home Improvement Projects To-do In 2019

Home renovations for 2019

For many people starting off the New Year with resolutions, it's time to spend time inside to create healthy home improvements and do those simple home maintenance tasks in January. We will help guide you in the right direction with our handyman remodeling tips to help improve the space you always wanted. 

Refresh your kitchen and pantry to organize

Make a fresh start in the New Year with a healthy decluttering home. Organize your space with a new pantry makeover. Grab a cardboard box and fill it with items you no longer use. Take it to a charitable donation center and receive a tax break.

Get amazing floors

Buyers today prefer alternate flooring verses carpeting in entertainment areas such as the living room, dining room and family room. The most popular are engineered wood floors. Our expert craftsman can install stunning floors, try our laminate flooring installation today.

Transform ceilings to invite guests

Those recently sprayed texture ceilings turn off buyers. Remove ugly popcorn ceilings and say hello to inviting new smooth ceilings. Buyers spend more time than you would think staring at ceilings. Nothing says freshness like new coat of paint, and it's the most cost effective improvement.

  

                                     

Add magic replace faucets

Buyers don't want to spot leaky faucets or stained sinks. Caulk unsightly sink tops to give a fresh look. Replace leaky faucets to update the space, the room can be transformed like magic. Our expert handyman tackle all types of services including bathtub and shower caulking.

Right on trend paint the walls

Paint a light color if the space is small. Lighter colors will make it seem bigger than it is. Paint a neutral color such as light tan - think of coffee with cream. Gray is one of the popular paint trends as well. Try our handyman professional for your next home painting to improve your space.. 

Let the light shine thru

Check to make sure all the lights work and boost moral and add new light fixtures. Imagine a new bathroom, or kitchen with striking new lighting. Update sconces to set off a new mood and add dimmer switches to set the tone.

Visualize a brighter space, call in our handyman professional we can replace your light fixtures in just a few short hours.

Plan to prevent a pipe burst

Prevent exposed pipes from freezing. Protect water pipes with an insulated pipe wrap and insulate exposed outdoor spigots. Water pipes are prone to burst in the winter months so plan ahead.

Update hardware and door knobs                                         

Shine and tighten doorknobs and hinges. Give a fresh look to the kitchen and add new hardware cabinet pulls and level cabinet doors. Hire our expert craftsman at Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service to replace worn door knobs.

Overall, buyers want to buy a home that has modern conveniences and is ready to occupy. Make your home shine and invite the guest to come. Hire an experienced handyman to turn your dreams to a reality with our helpful improvements.

Prevent a home appliance disaster this holiday season

Yikes! The holidays are almost here again, what is the best way to prevent a home appliance disaster this season? You don’t want your home appliances to go on strike just before holiday house guest arrive. When it comes to appliances during the holidays, homeowners generally think of the oven. Although the oven is the most valued appliance during the holidays, the dishwasher will also run into overtime cleaning those holiday dishes and cookware. Just as important the washing machine and dryer will be working just as hard cleaning those guest bed linens and towels.

Perhaps the oven is not heating up or the temperature isn’t quite right. Your washer or dryer has been making a strange noise for the last couple weeks. Now is the time to get it looked at. The last thing you need is to have the refrigerator go on the fritz while the guests arrive. The best way to prevent a home appliance disaster this season is to do some prior appliance preventative maintenance to keep the appliances in tip-top shape through out the holidays. We have some helpful tips to assist you along the way before the holiday season guest arrive.

Oven

It’s very common for ovens to fail because of the self-cleaning cycle! Run the self-clean cycle an entire month before your holiday cooking or wait until the holidays are over. This way you won’t have to worry about your oven breaking the day before cooking. Making delicious baked goods and cooking elaborate dinners for holiday feasts can take a toll on your oven.

Tip!     It is highly advised against running the oven’s self-clean cycle the night before holiday cooking day. The self cleaning cycle may cause failure of important electric components, elements and fuses. The self cleaning cycle brings the oven’s temperature to over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to incinerate anything in the oven including electrical components. Don’t run the self clean cycle for more than hour at a time. Running the cycle for a fraction of the time can reduce your risk of oven failure and still is enough time to burn off any food bits inside your oven.

Regularly clean your oven. To make sure your oven clean and working efficiently, give it a wipe down with a damp cloth once a month and immediately clean up any major spillages. If you bake and use your oven frequently, clean it more often. You should not rely on the self-clean cycle as your only method of oven cleaning! It is recommended self-clean once every 3-4 months. Never use an oven cleaner spray in ovens with a self-cleaning feature.

Tip!     Place a bowl of white vinegar in the oven, set the temperature to 270 F°, and once it’s preheated, turn your oven off and let the vinegar sit for several hours. After a few hours, open your oven door–it should be ready to wipe down with ease!       

Tip!     Now is a great time to check how accurate your oven’s temperature is to avoid last-minute baking disasters? This can easily be done with a thermometer. All you have to do is set your oven’s temperature at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, place the thermometer in your oven and set the timer for 30 minutes. When the time is up, if the temperature on the thermometer does not match the temperature you set, simply grab your owner’s manual and learn how to calibrate it. While the oven is still hot, bake some cookies for an autumn treat..

Tip!     Don’t place aluminum foil on the bottom of your oven to catch food spills! Aluminum foils blocks airflow and can interfere with the heating element, causing it to fail or require recalibration.

We see many oven problems that frustrate homeowners. Contact Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service to resolve your oven repair issue.

Glass-top stove

Tip!    Keep the glass-top stove clean; carefully scrap off burned food bits with a razor blade and cleaning the surface with glass cleaner.

Dishwasher

Oh the joys of cleaning holiday dirty dishes. Use a dishwasher cleaning product every three to six months to remove calcium buildup. Calcium deposits can clog the dishwasher’s sprayer arm and impact cleaning efficiency.

Tip!     Place a cup of white vinegar on the top shelf of an empty dishwasher and run a load on the setting of pot and pan cycle with hot water. This helps clean calcium with in the dishwasher.

Tip!     Clean the filter’s located below the lower spray arm. Debris that is allowed to remain in the filter will impede flow past the drain pump and can cause a musty odor or mildew in the dishwasher.

Tip!     Run a bit of hot water in your sink before running the dishwasher.

Washing machine

Check the hoses for any potential leak. While washing a load of clothes this week listen to the washer. Listen for potential signs of a problem such as loud rumbling noises, or rattling sounds. If your washing machine makes an unusual noise or need help with regular maintenance services on your appliances, don’t hesitate to learn how our Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service washer repair expert can help you.

Dryer

You wouldn’t want a blown dryer fuse, burnt thermal fuse, faulty thermostats, or heating element replacement when holiday guest arrive.

Tip!     Improve energy consumption and prevent a fire, clean out dryer vent system. For your dryer vent cleaning schedule us for expert service.

Refrigerator

This holiday prevent a frustrating refrigerator repair. From dirty water filters to clogged condenser coils your refrigerator may not be ready this holiday season.

Tip!     Check the door seals for rips and tears clear the drain lines, clean the condenser coils regularly because the coils are covered with dirt, grime, debris, pet hair and all that kind of stuff and it overheats the refrigerator.

Refrigerator temperature is critical to safe food! The refrigerator temperature needs to be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to keep food safe. Make room for holiday food; it is a great time to check expiration dates on items in the refrigerator. Discard any item that has passed its use by date. 

Tip!     Don’t forget to check your refrigerator’s temperature! You ideally want your refrigerator at 35° F (1.6 ° C) and your freezer to be at 0 ° F (-18° C).

Tip!     The extra opening and closing the refrigerator doors during the holidays may cause buildup of debris and clogged the filter pores, which can lead to off taste in ice-water and cubes and odors in the cooling compartment. Replace the dirty water filter and air filters now before the holidays!

Tip!     Keep you refrigerator at least three to four inches away from the wall to give it enough breathing room to perform properly. 

Microwave

Clean inside the microwave including the inner vent grills to allow for free airflow this joyful season.

Tip!     To remove stubborn food, boil a cup of water or white vinegar in the microwave to loosen the food particles, which you can then easily wipe off with a sponge.

Garbage disposal

To keep your garbage disposal merry and bright, check your garbage disposal now to see if it functions correctly, remember an unused garbage disposal can rust and seize up, which can lead to leaks and mechanical issues.

Clean the garage disposal before the holiday’s- begin by plugging your sink with a stopper, then fill your sink up with 2 to 4 inches of hot water along with disposal cleaner. Turn off the power to the garbage disposal, flush it with hot water. If there is sludge or bigger pieces of debris, then using crushed ice cubes and mixture of vinegar. Just turn on the garbage disposal, run cold water and allow the ice and vinegar to be crushed by the blades.

Tip!     If your disposal is over seven years old, it might be time to replace it.

Tip!     On turkey day, do not pour liquid fat or grease down the disposal.  It can dry in the drain line, and cause your disposal to clog up.

During the holidays be prepared ahead of time for an unthinkable item such as a utensil or debris falling down the drain of the garbage disposal and get lodged. Contact our helpful garbage disposal repair professional to safely remove items, and get your garbage disposal up and running again.

The last thing you want is for your appliances to break during this time of year! But, if your kitchen appliances or laundry appliance break down this holiday season, don’t fret! Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service offers appliance repair for most major brand home appliances.

Managing mold mildew and guarding against decay fungi

When your home is invaded by fungus there are steps you can take to help manage and protect your home. Managing mold, mildew, and guarding against decay fungi. The most important thing to do is once mold, mildew, and decay fungi is noticed is to find the source where the water is coming from.

Peeling and blistering paint is often a signal of inadequate interior ventilation, or missing a vapor barrior.

Mold and mildew

Mold can grow on any organic material such as cloth carpet, leather, wood, wallboard, houshold dust, and more. Mold needs a surface moisture content of about 20% to get started, if you add air and 90% relative humidity and any temperature above 40-100 F degrees then presto you have conditions for mold to survive. Simply by improving the circulation of air can help prevent mold and mildew in indoor spaces. Sometimes you can simply use mild soap and water to wash mildew and mold clean. After cleaning treat the affected area with a preventative mold control solution such as Concrobium Mold Control. Mold is an area to be concerned with in a home. Protect your family and have it tested to make sure it is not Black toxic mold to keep your home safe. If your home has mold, contact a mold remediation company for precaution measures. Mold and mildew can be found on North-facing walls and exterior walls shaded by foundation plantings or trees. Musty odors can be found in mold, mildew, and decay fungi “wood-rot”.

Learn more about Mold and Mildew. Visit: https://www.epa.gov/mold

Seasonal wood rot

When wood rots it can be a breeding ground for fungus and pest. Ants and termites are attracted to wet and decaying wood because it is soft and weak. Borates can be a nifty solution to keep the pest away.

Wet rot

The most common wet rot is called Cellar Fungus (Coniophora Puteana). Any timber exposed to moisture can provide an ideal breeding ground for wet rot spores. Wet rot can occur for a number of reasons. When wood is exposed in excess of 30% moisture for an extended time, wet rot can develop. The cause may be due from broken or clogged gutters, leaking down spouts, leaking plumbing pipes or faulty HVAC drain lines, or wicking due to moisture absorbing from the ground in to the wood. As the wet wood allows the wet rot to grow and thrive. The fungus germinates and spreads, it destroys the integrity of wood. This fungus generally appears moist to the touch, dark in color, and sometimes has white growths surrounding the decaying area.

Soft rot

Soft rot fungi are typically found in wet wood showing the first signs of decay. Wood infected with soft rot can become quite soft and spongy. Other than the softness of the wood and perhaps discoloration of the surface, there may be no apparent signs of a soft rot infestation.

Dry rot

Dry rot thrives in summer months and may cause immense damage. The cause may be due from gutters, damaged down-pipes, leaking plumbing pipes or rain water coming off the roof, or chronic condensation. The most common areas the dry rot can be found around the home are under sub floors, under roofs, and sometimes on skirting boards. The decayed wood has a dark or browner crumbly appearance, with cubical cracking or checking. The wood becomes brittle when handled and can crumble into powder. To help resolve this rot is to improve ventilation in the area. Dry rot fungus resembles much like plant like fungus growing on surfaces. Brown rot is another form dry rot this decay stops when the moisture is below 20%. Brown rots consume cellulose, hardly touching the darker lignin. When you consider the reproductive power of fungi on a square foot of dry rot fungus fruity body can produce five million spores per minute over a period of many days. These microscopic dust-like particles are shed in clouds from the parent and can float in air over long distances. Since there is every likelyhood that spores of wood rotting fungi will be present where ever wood is used.

 

Guarding against decay fungi – Wood rot treatment

Remove and replace the effected wood rot. Clean up the affected area to remove debris, and contaminates. Treat wood surfaces with a wood preservative and borate solution such as Boracare, or Timbor to prolong the life.

Learn more about wood decay in houses.

Visit: https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/12758/PDF

Don’t just treat the mildew, mold or decay problem. You need to eliminate the cause! Many problems can be avoided by simply keeping the wood dry, weather sealed and preserved through routine maintenance.

 If you believe you’ve found wood rot damage or have inspection repairs with in your home or just want some peace of mind, call a trusted handyman for your repairs. 

If your home needs siding repairs, take action now and schedule Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service to fix up your home!

9 critical home maintenance tasks this Fall

Fall is a good time for critical home maintenance tasks. Set aside some time now to complete these 9 critical home maintenance tasks this fall before the winter months arrive. You can rest easy, save money, and prevent major problems this busy autumn season. Put these tips to work in your own home and reap the comfortable benefits.

1.)        Inspect the roof

Keeping the roof in good shape is vital and routine roof inspections should be performed regularly keeping an eye out for potential roof problems. Why not grab those handy binoculars and look around on the roof for common problems such as damaged or missing shingles, look for new dips in the roof where potential roof sheathing wood rot could exist underneath, and keep an eye out for loose nail pops causing loose shingles and potential leaks.

Poke around in the attic during a good rain storm looking to see if any water is entering the home. Pay close attention around the chimney and around valleys. The chimney is the most common area for roof leaks inside the attic.

On the exterior roof inspect the chimney for wood rot, damaged flashing, or missing mortar. Seal the flashing around the chimney with the proper sealant such as masonry caulk for brick or use quality roofing cement for exposed wood. Repair any loose flashing and exposed rotten wood.

2.)        Trim trees limbs overhanging the roof and chimney

Falling leaves from tree limbs decay on the roof. The leaf decay breaks down the shingles while shorting roof life. Falling leaf build up causes potential roof leaks as it rains this dams the water back wards and as the water travels back underneath the shingles causing leaks. Protect your roof and trim those tree limbs away especially those dead branches over hanging it, and don’t forget to remove the leaf debris. Prevent fires and chimney damage trimming those dangling tree limbs back at least 10 feet off the roof line and away from the chimney flue.

3.)        Check fire extinguishers

Although fire extinguishers are helpful around the fireplace and kitchen, it is recommended to inspect fire extinguishers so they are always ready for use when you need them the most. Kitchens should be prepared with an easily available ABC rated fire extinguisher. Replacing an out of date, damaged, rusted fire extinguisher is just as important to keep your home safe. Inspect the fire hose on the extinguisher checking for cracks or holes. Check the pressure gauge make sure it is still in the green operable zone, look on the tank for signs of corrosion. Corrosion is a sign of a leak and replace immediately.

4.)        Clean siding

Having clean siding on the exterior is important before the winter months arrive. Mold and mildew breaks down the paint on surfaces increasing chances for potential wood rot underneath the surface. Oxidation on vinyl siding leads to degradation. Read more about the best methods to remove oxidation from plastic and restore and clean oxidation on vinyl siding. 

Soft washing is the best way to clean stucco on exterior homes. Soft washing creeps in to every pore and crevice and lasts four and six times longer than conventional power washing.  With wisdom of using less water to clean the building and using biodegradable chemicals, soft washing is the wise choice for clean siding and homes today.

5.)        Inspect and repair siding

Checking the compromised siding areas matters since it is the first line of defense against the elements and it makes sure potential problems are taken care of before major issues arise. Look around the siding for common signs such as nails popping out or rusting, chipping, peeling or fading paint, damage from insects or rodent damage, caulk seams and joints should not be showing signs of cracking or shrinkage, nor turning powdery, boards should not show evidence of termite or wood rot damage.

Proper maintenance on your home’s siding can lower your energy bills by keeping the inside air in. Even siding showing minimal cosmetic damage can potentially be hiding large amounts of destruction inside from moisture and heat causing further rot on the interior frame. Repair siding as soon as you notice any areas of concern and protect your house from the elements. Hire a professional siding repair to get your home fixed right.

6.)        Inspect and repair leaky faucets

Keeping faucets in good working condition is imperative. A dripping faucet can waste over a hundred gallons of water monthly. Typically common problems include corrosion, mineral deposits on internal components, defective gaskets, o-rings, and washers on leaky faucets. You can easily inspect leaky faucets for potential problems from O-rings, corroded valve seats, worn washers, worn cartridges, and improper installation of washers can play all kinds of havoc on a leaky faucet. An unchecked sink can put added stresses on your plumbing and can cause drain clogs, and in some cases leak damage can cause water staining which may require the purchase of a new sink because it’s too difficult to clean.

Even a leaky faucet with loose fixture nuts can cause leakage under the sink. Repair leaky faucets before they become a plumbing disaster.

7.)        Inspect weather stripping around doors and windows

Keep your home in tip-top shape by inspecting the weather stripping twice a year while Fall is approaching check around door and windows seals to make sure the weather stripping are in good shape. Inspect for wear and tear looking for loose pieces, dirt and debris, and cracks or tears. Repair the seals if you see any problems or feel draft issues.

8.)        Clean the gutters

Debris in your gutters can result to water damage, insect infestations, foundation and structural damage from blocked gutters. With a simple  gutter cleaning in early Fall you can prevent time consuming gutter cleaning this autumn season by installing simple gutter guards.

9.)                           Improve the bath

Updating the bath fixtures can prevent from spending thousands on a full bathroom remodel and can improve the bath space. Common signs your bath fixtures need updating check to see if they are rusty, peeling, discolored, or outdated. You will be surprised how easy it is to create a fresh look in your bathroom at a low cost. Improve the bath with simple hands free and luxurious high shine chrome, and oil-bronzed finishes for today’s trendy fixtures. Top off your bathroom by enhancing hardware and accessories. New modern age shower bars, and towel rings can impress your guest and improving your bath space can increase value of your home. Ask about our handy improvements for your bath space.

We can help alleviate the burden of home maintenance chores for you so you can enjoy more time this Fall season. Contact Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service for these neighborly upkeep home repair tasks.

Boosting curb appeal improving the front entry

Improving the front entry will gain curb appeal, welcome neighbor’s and be inviting to home buyer's. It’s time to tackle your home’s exterior and upgrade the front porch to add curb appeal and gain resale value. Here are some inexpensive things that can do that is relatively easy to make a bold statement on your home. As these days get shorter and now is the time to start the “must-do” improvement projects.

Update the front porch

First impressions matter, decorate your front porch to add character to your home. Improving the entrance by adding some color by painting or staining the front door in a fresh coat of gloss paint or strip it down and stain the front door to attract an appealing look of natural wood. A fresh new coat with home painting from your helpful Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service will refresh your exterior. Consider a festive seasonal wreath and a new welcome mat to top it off. Seasonal décor states that you are settled in and committed to your neighborhood. Container gardens and shutters give pleasing visual interest to any home. Replace outdated light fixtures or wall sconces with stylish models.

Make a window box

Get enormous curb appeal by adding a simple window box. You can enjoy the attractive garden view from indoors. Embrace on a broad range of designs with a multitude of products that are available today on the market. From wood, plastic, resin, and metal you can craft a garden that you can make a window box yourself for all to enjoy.

Sit and enjoy the moments

From classic rocking chairs, benches, and contemporary outdoor seating you can sit out the endless possibilities. Sit back and enjoy a fresh glass of lemonaide to catch up with a neighbor to enjoy the moments.

Give your yard class

Add perfectly-planted flowers for color, manicure the shrubs to achieve visual interest and add illumination to the landscape to gain ambiance on summer nights. Help illuminate a path to your new front entry space. With these simple touches you can give the yard class with a bold look.

Use your outdoor space to it’s fullest potential while boosting curb appeal and improving the front entry. Hammer that first impression and enlist our home service professional to fix up your front porch. Contact our trusted experts at Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service to help maintain your home.

How to cleanly re-caulk a bathtub or surface to prevent premature damage

You can make small improvements to spruce up your bathroom and make a dramatic difference, one of the easiest things to do is to re-caulk your bathtub and shower to help prevent mold and structural water damage. To understand these two failures will help you take the appropriate action to avoid unexpected expense of a home repair in your bathroom.

The first failure is the old caulk needs to be replaced with new bathroom caulking. The typical lifespan of caulking is no more than 10 years. Maintaining your shower, lavatory sink, bath tub are critical home maintenance tasks to prevent water intrusion.

Second the most common failure is the type of the correct caulking to use. The proper caulking to use is one that is designed specifically for bathrooms. Vinyl and latex based siliconized caulks are readily available in most regions. You want to choose the right caulk which is water and mold resistant and rated for bathroom use is the right solution. To get a professional pleasing appearance to match your décor in your shower or tub it is best to use a colored grouted caulk found in most tile supply stores for the tile surfaces.

The problems with caulk

Acrylic, silicone and latex caulks are very popular since the ease of use. However, they pose significant performance problems. In dry settings, they eventually dry up, peel and crack. In wet settings, when they are exposed to continual moisture, they re-emulsify, soften, peel, and eventually wash out of the joints, and sometimes turn black in color from mold and mildew. Caulk is not chemical resistance and when certain cleaners are used, the caulk reacts and eventually loses its bond, which allows moisture to compromise and penetrate through the surface creating mold and rot! Caulking your home is a routine task.

Over time, most caulk will mold, dry up, peel or crack. Exposed caulk or grout joints often result in severe water damage and costly repairs.

Common signs you might need to Caulk your Bathroom

If your current caulk in your bathroom shows mold or discolorization, signs of cracking, missing or damaged caulk, or any part of the caulk bead no longer adheres to the surface then it would be wise to re-caulk to prevent water intrusion behind gaps and seams around bath fixtures.

Prepping the caulk surface

Removing the old caulk is vital of a good caulking job. Since this is a harder task there are plenty of products on the market to make the job much easier. With the right tools and knowledge you can save valuable time on your re-caulking project. Pick up a handy caulk removal tool, towels, and some caulk softener at your local hardware store. Apply the caulk softener over the old caulk. Let the product sit for two hours on the surface. Careful here and don’t let the softener product dry out. Grab your handy caulk removal tool and go to work removing the soft caulking. Use the flat plastic side of the tool to clean up the excess areas and wipe and scrub the surface clean. Once the surface is dry and free of caulking apply your bleach or rubbing alcohol cleaning product that you normally use to clean the bathtub. Scrub all the soap residue on the surface you are working on to clean the area squeaky clean. Take a break and let the surfaces completely dry out. To ensure the strongest seal on a bathtub, fill up the tub with water before applying new caulk.

Apply the new caulk

Grab your caulk gun and caulk tube and cut the tip off about a 45 degree angle. Insert the tube in the caulk gun. Grab some painters tape and apply the tape around both sides of the caulking bead edge. Apply the caulk to the shortest wall first surface using a steady constant pressure to ensure you are not ending up with more in one spot or less in another. When you reach a corner, stop and finish with that wall first before proceeding to the next wall. Use your finger and steadily push the caulk in to the joint and release some pressure when you reach a corner so you won’t pool the caulking over, after you have completed all walls around the bathtub. Wet your finger and run along the new caulk line to make sure it is smooth and even. Remove any excess caulk with a wet rung out towel with water or appropriate cleaner printed on the caulking tube. Remove the tape at this time. Be sure to remove the tape slowly and carefully so not to remove the caulking with it.

Let it dry and cure

Your last easiest step is the most important, let it dry and cure. Consult the instructions on the back of the caulk tube to find the appropriate amount of cure time. Do not use the fixture until proper cure time to prevent water intrusion issues.

Get help with bathroom shower, bathtub, or sink caulking

Replacing caulk is an easy way to save money and Do it yourself for home repairs. Although you could save yourself the hassle if you don’t have the time nor inclination to do your own bathroom caulking, invite our Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service craftsman to come out and get your bathtub or shower caulking done now for your bathroom.

Common washing machine signs to keep an eye out before repair

With much wear and tear on most home appliances a washer can really take a beating over a year. In fact the average American family washes nearly 300 loads of laundry per year. It is bound to act up at some point in time after a few years. Keeping a skillful ear and eye to identify issues can avoid the need for an expensive repair or replacement.

 The agitator doesn’t work

The agitator is the plastic device in the center of top loading washers that wigs and wags spinning left and right rapidly during the wash cycle to make your clothes come clean. If the motor engages but the agitator doesn’t that is a sign that the transmission is going out.

On Whirlpool washers the agitator has plastic clogs which can break off internally within the device to help prevent transmission failures.

It is easy to check to see if the agitator is working, simply lift the washer lid during the wash cycle to view the agitator is shifting the clothes around. Your pants socks ad shirts won’t get clean if the agitator is not working. So it is worth having this problem looked at sooner then having an expensive repair bill later.

Clothes are dripping wet after the spin cycle

The transmission may have something wrong if the water may drain but the spin cycle may fail to engage. The spin cycle is important for removing as much water from your clothes as possible. So the dryer doesn’t have to work as hard to dry the clothes later on.

If the transmission has something wrong the motor may engage but the drum won’t spin, leaving you up duck’s creek with sopping wet clothes? You wouldn’t want to make your dryer to work overtime causing more wear and tear on the dryer making to wear out faster since it even wastes a lot of energy. So it is best to call in an washer repair professional today then delay if this is the problem you are having.

Water doesn’t drain from the drum

During the normal operation of the washing machine, the washer drains right before the spin cycle starts. A problem with the water pump could prevent water from draining out of the tub. When this happens you will notice the wash tub is still full of water when you lift the lid to transfer your clothes to the dryer. This will require an appliance repairman to come take a look at the problem.

If your washing machine is acting up and you eyed the problem. It would be wise to contact Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service to schedule your appliance repair visit today. Do it yourself washer repairs is not recommended since it could cost you more in the end to fix.

Back to school with home organization

Home organization with summer ending and kid’s getting ready to go back to school, it’s a fun time of year to get your home organized for the school year. While the young one’s are meeting new friends and learning new skills it is a great time for you to get the household in order. When your home is an obstacle course with all those shoes lying around it’s time to get a shoe organizer at a back door entrance. Hang hooks for jackets and bags to gain some extra storage space. An organizer not only helps clean up but saves time in the morning to grab the shoes and head to school.

Create a drop zone

Grab a few cloths wrapped wired baskets and create a drop zone to drop stuff off when you walk in the front entrance. Utilize a drawer by the front entrance to drop your keys, phone charger, wallet, favorite lipsticks and other important stuff.

Gutter and drywall repair

No matter your home maintenance needs, it’s never a bad idea to hire a handyman for that little extra help during the busy back to school season. With summer time ending blues and afternoon showers often leaving some home owners with leaky roofs and soggy drywall. Water damage can cause havoc on your homes structural weakness and can cause wood rot. In fact heavy rain and high winds can cause gutters to pull away from the side of the home, so water can seep through walls and ceilings. Before summer ends make sure the gutters are securely fastened and properly cleaned and flowing. As drywall repair and replacement can be a big project, it’s better to fix the problem before it turns into a safety health hazard down the road.

Check your dryer vent

With the work load your dryer is about to endure over the up coming months of the school year. This is a smart idea to help you save some money with the energy efficiency savings you dryer can endure with a clean flowing dryer exhaust vent. Not to mention a restricted dryer vent may cause premature failure on your dryer's internal components. Lint can build up in the dryer vent with consistent use can wear out the heating element, thermal fuse, high temperature limit safety switch, and other mechanical components prematurely of the dryer. It is recommended to clean your dryer vent at least once a year depending on the size of the household and dryer usage. Ask about our dryer vent cleaning services.

Get your home organized now can eliminate the hassle of juggling repairs and improvements with sports schedules and homework. Call Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service and we will work with your busy schedule and offer the quality home repairs that your casa deserves. 

Smart Summer Tips to improve your homes quality and retain housing market value

Whether you want to keep your home cost efficient or boost the resale value of your home. Our innovative ideas for summer home repair tips to improve your homes quality and retain housing market value to ensure your property keeps in top-notch condition.

One thing you should remember while trying to boost the resale value of your home. People have a wide variety of tastes. The flexibility of an attractive non customized home will be more appealing on the home buying market. Like most homeowner’s they want to get rid of that ugly green stuff growing on the exterior siding of a house. While some people will tell you to pressure wash the house to remove the green algae growth. This may cause damage to your home since most homeowner’s aren’t particularly used to handling the high volume of pressure which the pressure washer sprays out. Double pane windows can even show unsightly damages using this pressure cleaning method if a homeowner is not properly trained handling the pressure washer correctly while using this exterior house cleaning technique. Here is an innovative idea and a less labor intensive way to remove the green growth from siding. Remember to be safe while using any house cleaner product and keep pets off and away from all areas to be cleaned for at least twenty four hours. Mix up five parts of water to one part of “Wet and Forget” in a pump up sprayer and spray to fully saturate the siding and wait. In a matter of weeks the green algae will be visibly reduced or eliminated. Reapply once a year to troubled areas in the home to ensure proper control.

 Updating or installing ceiling fans in indoor spaces reduces the amount of energy to cool a home. Dark bronze ceiling fans are more appealing to prospective buyers and make a stylish look to a room.

Lighter house paint colors promote cooler homes on blissful summer days. Why not paint the garage door to improve the aesthetic appeal of your home and help keep the garage cooler in the summer months. Home painting could make a vibrant clean house appeal and potentially boost the resale value of a home.

From choosing the right ceiling fan, to cleaning and painting to boost the homes resale value, energy efficiency should be an important factor with in a home. 

If you’re interested in improving value to your home or just need a home repair contact Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service for these neighborly upkeep tasks.

Keep the bad out with good refrigerator maintenance

Keep the bad out with good refrigerator maintenance

Prevent internal component failures with good yearly refrigerator maintenance. It’s important to keep your refrigerator cool and efficient. This prevents bad spoiled food and costly repairs down the road. The good news is that dirty condenser coils on a refrigerator are easily and quickly remedied. The bad news is you risk the expense of a high-priced compressor failure should you allow the coils to become excessively clogged with dust, dirt and other airborne particles. One of the main components of any refrigeration or air conditioning system is the condenser. Clogged condenser coils can produce poor circulation of air, restricting your fridge’s ability to keep cool. Dirty or blocked condensers are one of the most frequent service problems in refrigeration and summer appliance repair fields today. We offer simple maintenance steps to keep your fridge running in great shape. Forget about spoiled food, you too can have a trouble-free refrigerator. Clean the condenser coils twice a year or more often if you have shedding pets or a dusty home. The job of the condenser coils is to cool and condense the refrigerant. When the coils are clogged with dirt and dust, they can't efficiently release heat. The result is your compressor works harder and longer than it was designed to, using more energy and shortening the life of your fridge. Some refrigerator manufacturers place them on the back of the unit, where they are quite easy to reach, while others locate them beneath the unit, which makes them harder to get at but still worth the effort. If it's been a year or longer since you cleaned them and brushed them down, it's a safe bet that it's time to do so.

Some steps can be taken by the average person to clean the condenser coil, but to get the job done thoroughly and to get the best results it will most likely take a professional service technician. To clean the inside of the condenser coil and make sure that it is free of obstruction, it will require the skills and equipment of a appliance repair service man. Getting an annual inspection and cleaning will ensure the efficient operation of the unit and it will help to guarantee that the unit has a long operating life.

Disconnect the refrigerator from the power before removing the toe grill (consult your owner’s manual to see if your toe grill can be pulled straight off without any additional steps). Using a coil brush, push the tool into the condenser coils and knock off the dust that has collected there. You can then vacuum up the dust and reinstall the toe grill.

Refrigerators sometimes keep food too cold so that it freezes. This may be because you set the thermometer too low or it could indicate that the coils on the condenser coils on the outside of the appliance are dusty. It may also be a problem that requires professional repair.

According to the FDA, a refrigerator’s temperature should be set to 40°F or lower, while the temperature of a freezer should be at 0°F.

A warm refrigerator isn’t always an obvious fix. There are a number of different things that could be causing the issue. Malfunctioning parts can be tricky, especially when you have to discern which part is causing the problem. It may be best to contact a professional appliance repair technician with Mr. Fix-It to keep your refrigerator in good repair.

More refrigerator repair tips

Here is a tip to prevent an expensive gasket repair bill ($100 to $200) and cut down air leaks by keeping your door gasket clean. Syrup, jelly or any other sticky stuff dripping down the front sides of your refrigerator can dry and glue the gasket to the frame. Wipe down the door gasket frequently with warm soapy water to prevent build up of food particles and debris. Apply a small amount mineral oil on the gasket to help assist it from sticking to the door frame and prevent it from cracking or tearing.

If your fridge isn’t up-to-snuff and isn’t cooling or preserving your food, our helpful technicians at Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service can help you diagnose your potential problem, walk you through the repair steps, and explain when you should step back and let a professional handle it. Call us today for your refrigerator repair.

What you need to know damaging termites

What you need to know damaging termites

Termites leave few clues of there arrival and are active all year round. Those pesky termites cause severe damage to homes, sometimes repairs are not typically covered in standard insurance policies. Discovering unsettling damage at your home can cost thousands of dollars. Termites like damp, dark, and warm areas of a home. Termites live in colonies and once the little termites grow to a certain extent they form a swarm, which is a traveling crowd, and maintain a colony.

Signs of termite damage can include buckling ceilings or walls, appearance of water damage, maze like tunnels in wooden structures, mud tunnels on foundation walls, swarms of termites, termites are known to ruin carpeting, walls, furniture, and flooring.

Can the damage from termites be fixed?

Even though it is rare for some termite species to damage a home beyond repair, if the infestation is not treated for many years. If caught soon enough the cost of the termite repair would be much less.

Subterranean termites

Florida has the subterranean termite species as a termite colony can case significant damage to a house in approximately two years, if it is not treated or controlled. These African subterranean termites dwell underground in loose damp soil. The largest subterranean termite colonies eat about a pound of wood per day and up wards to 100 pounds per year. These critters can travel in tunnels from the ground up on foundation walls and enter your home.

Drywood termites

Other smaller colony species such as the drywood termites can cause the same type of damage over a period of 20 years. These termites live in and feed on wood, they are often found in studded walls, attic areas, and furniture. They eat wood from the inside out.

Swarming termites

These termites swarm in warm weather and often after a rain shower to start new colonies. As the swarming event be so brief you may not even see the flying termites. You are likely to view the discarded wings around window sills, doors, house vents, bathtubs and sinks. Winged termites are attracted to light sources and are mostly active in spring time.

 What can I do to prevent termite damage?

Termite bait or liquid treatements are the best ways to prevent termites. A preventative measure would include eliminating wood-soil contact and resolving moisture problems, store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home, maintain a 18” gap between mulch or soil and wood parts of the home, cut foliage at least 3 feet away, aim irrigation sprinklers away from the foundation, and direct downspouts away from the home. Keep air vents clear and clean so the air can circulate in attics and crawl spaces, however these measures will not keep termites from trying to enter your home.

As a preventive measure, you could use “Bora-Care”. This is a borate treatment that is easily applied to wood and over time can penetrate the entire mass of wood. It is not only a fungus treatment but also making wood unappetizing to wood boring insects and uninhabitable to fungi.

If you believe you’ve found termite damage or have inspection repairs with in your home or just want some peace of mind, call a trusted handyman for your repairs.

If your home needs siding repairs, take action now and schedule Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service to fix up your home!

Help solve temperature fluctuation on a tankless water heater

Troubleshoot temperature fluctuation problems

Learn how to troubleshoot and solve temperature fluctuation on a tankless water heater. You wouldn’t want to get caught in an unpleasant cold water sandwich situation when taking a shower. As the water temperature fluctuates delivered from a tankless water heater after the first few minutes you enjoy a nice hot shower and then changes to cold and back to warm/hot again.

Cold water sandwich 

This problematic issue especially on an electric tankless water heater occurs when the temperature variation when the heater is on as it provides hot water. When the water is not being dispensed from a fixture. Such as the tap being closed the unit shuts off, as the water inside the pipes get cooled. The water heater turns on and the cool water inside the pipes dispenses the cooled water before the hot water reaches the fixture. This results in cold water bursting or the cold water sandwich effect.

In homes it is suggested to set the water heater to a safe 120 degree temperature. One of the main reasons why temperature fluctuates is your tankless heater stopped working due to lack of low water. Usually the minimum flow rate is around 0.4-0.5. If your water heating system is not designed properly where the capacity is smaller than the demand, such as a change in flow from other fixtures in the home are opened or closed you can ‘feel the fluctuation of the temperature drop. Today, most tankless water heating systems have some type of water filtration or may have an inlet filter screen before water reaches the heater elements. It is suggested to change the filter or clean the inlet filter screen located at the bottom of the unit every six months or more frequently depending on your homes water usage.

Restriction of water flow

Water in Florida has a high mineral deposit count the can lead to a restriction of water flow in plumbing fixture parts such as long term mineral build up deposits on faucet aerators, shower heads. It would be a good idea to flush and clean each single one. You can soak them in household white vinegar to help dissolve the mineral deposits and flush the parts toughly with water before reinstalling.

Plumbing crossover

Temperature fluctuation may occur due to a plumbing crossover of a faulty mixing valve, incorrect plumbing, single lever faucet, or failed washer in a fixture. An easy way to find out is close the main line going to the heater and open a hot water tap, wait five minutes, and if water is still flowing there is a problem with a plumbing crossover.

Water pressure

A tankless water heater normally uses constant water pressure maintained at 30 psi. The pressure needs to be consistent so if you have a well on your property, be sure the pressure is present.

Mixing Valves

Do you have a mixing valve installed; a mixing valve lowers the temperature of hot water and mixes it with cold water. Check to see the water temperature on the valve.

Before any changes to fix your temperature fluctuation problem, measure the fill time to see what the proper activation flow rate is. If your experiencing longer than usual the odds is the activation rate is not met.

If you are experiencing difficulty to solve your temperature fluctuation problems and you need other home repairs, hire a professional handyman.