Choose the right picnic table for perfect summer hosting

With summer months approaching, it’s time to think of outdoor seating for your family barbecues, neighbor gatherings, and evening outdoor entertainment occasions before summer time comes into full swing. Outdoor seating elements are vital for hosting a great entertainment space. Picnic tables are durable and practical for any gathering outdoors. Before making a picnic table purchase consider portability and choose the right material. There are many options these days for a good picnic table. Here are some questions you may want to ask yourself before making that purchase. Would you want your picnic table to be moved around easily with in the space? Would you want a picnic table to fold-up and be stored away when not in use? Would you want one that is most durable and last a long time?

So what picnic table is right for you? 

Let’s begin with choosing the right material. Steel or aluminum require less maintenance and endures a long life. They are durable enough to stand up to extreme temperatures and intense sunlight. If you’re looking for less maintenance think of one that is made of faux wood materials with recycled plastic. There is endless options for a classic wood picnic table including cedar, pressure treated pine, teak, reclaimed wood and so much more. As reclaimed furniture becoming popularity these days for outdoor decorating. Why not choose one to fit within your lifestyle. If your feeling like this is a tackle your willing to take on there are many plans for the DIY. Check out these 50 Free DIY Picnic TablePlans and Ideas that Will Bring Your Family Together from Morning Chores or contact your helpful handyman to assemble or build your perfect picnic table that is right for you. What ever picnic table you choose, you can feel comfortable hosting your summer extravaganza! Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service can help you maintain your home. Make sure to stay on top of your household repairs and maintenance needs around the home. Schedule your appointment request for service of our helpful handyman today.

Amazing tips to bring your window screens back to life

As the temperatures rise this season, your family is sure to be opening windows for cool evening breeze, leaving your window screens as the only line of defense between your home and the insect pests trying to make their way inside. Find some amazing tips to bring your windows back to life.

Take some time now to review the screens throughout your home, inspect for holes, tears and loose-fitting frames that will give pests access to your home.

 A well maintained window screen can prevent damage-inducing dirt and grime from building up, saving you money from repairs.

An average fiberglass screen lasts anywhere from 3-7 years, depending on the sun exposure.

If you have trouble removing the screens, call a professional for help! Don’t force trying to remove them, since they bend very easily.

If the screens are full of dust or debris and wind starts to blow in, that dust or debris will just linger around your house which could be harmful for everyone. Dirty window screens are also linked to cases of sinus irritation and trigger asthma attacks for some folks. It would be a great idea to clean your window screens. A little of soap and warm water and a soft bristled brush works wonders to help clean your window screens.

You can bring your aluminum screens back to life.

Another great way to naturally clean your window screens and eliminate germs and bacteria is to spray it with distilled white vinegar that you can get at any grocery store. Pour the vinegar in an empty spray bottle, then blend an equal amount of water and spray liberally to the screen. Use a soft bristle brush and scrub vigorously and rinse off.

Remember – if your screens look streaky white and silver instead of uniform black color, not only are they less effective in dust and pollen control, they are also very weak and can easily have a hole punched through. In this case, professional replacement may be necessary.

If you need help with your screen repairs, or you realize you need some replacements. Remember Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service can repair or replace your window screens.

Call us to schedule your window screen repair today. Phone (904) 699-2356

We even replace patio screen room screening around the home.

Refresh your home with 2018 remodeling tips

Design trends for 2018

 Your passion to refresh your home begins in 2018 with remodeling. Consider a smaller scale for renovations that won’t break your budget. We will help guide you in the right direction with our handyman remodeling tips to make a tremendous impact on your homes design. Here is this years design elements and updates to get you started.

One way to incorporate schemes is through tone-on-tone encouragement with monochromatic colors this year. One approach is choosing colors and tones in your walls, curtains, and furnishings in varying shades.

Having velvet in small ways through home accents and décor will add visual interest and plush materials can gain dimensional texture to your design. This can be achieved by selecting throw rugs, furniture, and pillows that feature velvet.

Out with the old white subway tiles and in with variety tiles which have different colors, tones, and textures. Beige textured accent tiles are gaining popularity according to House Beautiful.

Brass finishes are up in rising this year. Choose glamour with a creative feel with elements of brass finishes in your light fixtures, coffee table, and appliance handles.

Current designs with artisan light fixtures are prominent for unique decorative lighting this year. Luxurious lighting may give the next level to brighten up spaces.

Consider making your journey enjoyable and less stressful by incorporating smaller tasks to get to the big picture. Hire an experienced handyman to turn your dreams to a reality with our improvements.

Bathroom safety is just as important for all ages

Your bathroom gets a lot of use and maintenance it should be just as safe and comfortable for your family. Bathroom safety is important for all ages. While on the late end of new years resolutions families are thinking about upgrading and improving the safety in their home. The National Safety Council says there are over 200,000 bathroom related accidents a year.  We put together helpful advice to get your bathroom hazard-free all year long.

Stability and balance is just as important in a wet environment

Slip and falls can help be prevented with aging adults by simply installing grab bars in tubs and showers. Even the youngsters need a little help getting in and out of a tub with the added support of a sturdy handle grab bar. Your tub and showers are in a wet environment, it’s just as important to apply non-slip mats or a removable waterproof textured mat inside the tub or shower. For outside your shower or bathtub place an absorbent rug or towel to avoid slipping on the floor while stepping out the bath with your feet.

Oh the joys of bath time

Many young children love the joys of bath time, but this activity can be dangerous if left unattended. Good safety habits in the bathroom are beneficial. Make sure you always see the little ones while in the bathtub. Drowning even exist with a very shallow bath. Bathroom outlets need child proof covers and bath vanities need locks to help keep the little curious minds out. Of course never let curling irons or hair dryers plugged in, other bath products such as shampoo conditioner, shaving crèam, and razors should be away from the bathtub area to help keep the children safe from harm. Keep the clothing tucked away in a hamper to avoid trips and falls on the bath floor.

Taking steps to increase bath safety in your home is simple. It’s easy to put off a high-traffic bathroom improvement on the back burner. It should always meet preventive safety standards. Contact the expert handyman at Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service to install child proof protections around the home or attach grab bars on those bath walls.

No one wants to be stuck with a dishwasher that has dirty spotted dishes with company this holiday

No one wants to be stuck with a dishwasher that has dirty spotted dishes with company this holiday

Before the company arrives for holiday events turns your dishwasher in overdrive with dirty spotted dishes. There are ways you can help your dishwasher clean even better! Help maintain and give your dishwasher a tune-up with these dishwasher cleaning tips from Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service in the greater Jacksonville, Florida area.

It is tempting to load a lot of dishes in the dishwasher this holiday season, -but don’t! Did you know overcrowding the dishes leads to “hot spots” where the water can not spray properly to clean the dishes? This will leave you stuck with the gunk of food particles and debris.

Help assist your dishwasher clean a little better

If you run some hot water in the kitchen sink first, this will assist with your dishwashers cleaning performance. Since the dishwater generally runs off the hot water supply line, much like a lot of us know whenever you run hot water in a sink in many cases it will take time for the water to feel actually hot. Well the cleaning of dishes can be affected by this issue. Hot water is the key to break down food particles and gunk.

Sanitize it with vinegar

During the holiday season sanitize your dishwasher with a cup full of vinegar after unloading it and run a quick cycle. The vinegar will sanitize and help break down any built up food particles and sediment in your dishwasher.

It is just as important to maintain your dishwasher with routine general maintenance your dishwasher may last for years to come. Most dishwashers these days have a filter that catches food particles before the pump can suck up the water to help spray your dishes clean in the cleaning cycle. It is wise to scrub brush clean the filter with warm soapy water. As a service technician, you wouldn’t want to see the funk that I have seen over the years. People really don’t know the filth that they may be eating off of. Your dishwasher’s health is just as important. It is recommended every 4 four to six weeks to clean inside including the dishwasher’s trap your dishwasher, wipe down the black lower door gasket to keep the water from leaking out. This will help diminish the buildup of lime scale, soap scum, and food particles that can diminish the machines effectiveness and clog.

Hopefully these helpful tips will help you get ready for the extra load of dishes this holiday season! Don’t get stuck in a pinch this holiday season. And if you suspect that your dishwasher needs service or dishwasher maintenance. Mr. Fix-It Handyman Service is a good choice for appliance maintenance in Jacksonville, Florida with expert handyman you can trust!

Before winter arrives clean and inspect your fireplace

Before winter arrives get your fireplace professionally checked and cleaned

Before winter arrives it would be wise to inspect your fireplace professionally so it could get  checked and cleaned if needed to help prevent a chimney or an unwanted house fire. A good 14 check up for fireplace and 7 point flu inspection should be performed prior to the fierce winter winds to prevent the unwanted back draft soot blowing in and entering the inside of the home. A clean chimney doesn't have animal nesting or blockage in it.

When wood burns in the fireplace and smoke goes up the chimney. The warm vapors travel to the upper parts of the flu as the vapors gases, and smoke reach the cooler air it creates black or brown creosote that builds in the chimney. The build up of creosote can be dangerous and catch fire in the chimney. Even small hot spots could smolder for hours after the fire in firebox has extinguished. A hidden chimney fire could spread in the flue undetected.

Homeowners should get an annual chimney inspection every year even if you just have a gas fireplace. You should not risk the chance of an undiscovered defect in the flu liner as winter freeze cycles and moisture can take an annual toll on the liner and masonry materials.

Helpful fire burning advice

Fireplace burning tip: Burn hollow dense seasoned dark gray hardwood such as oak and hickory from nut bearing trees as they are desired since they burn cleaner. Store the firewood in a well ventilated dry place.

It is suggested to use a local certified fireplace cleaning company in your area.

Essential late summer home maintenance tips to keep you on track

Smart tips for late summer home maintenance

Essential late summer preventative home maintenance is the key to help eliminate future major problems around your home you need to know. We put together smart tips to help keep you on track maintaining your home through the season.

It’s that time of year again to maintain and prepare your home before autumn arises. Now would be a great time to install gutter guards to protect your gutter from clogging up in the fall. It is a good idea to clean the gutters before the season hits. While out around the house during an outside grill gathering. Why not walk around the home and inspect it for mold and mildew growths. Keeping your patio and home pressure cleaned can make strides with a good neighbor. A clean driveway or walkway can help deter from a trip and fall on your property. When you may be out preying around the house looking for problem indicators, why not look for places for rodents or pest to entry the home. Seal all open seams, joints, and gaps over a weekend. It’s a suburb time to inspect your existing paint condition looking for signs of flaking, peeling, and wood cracking within the protective paint film layer. Prime and paint as needed. Trim tree limbs and shrubs around the home to give your home room to breathe.  Keeping your home clean inside is just as important, clean healthy carpets keeps pollen and allergies to a minimum in the late summer months. A monthly air conditioner filter cleaning or replacement helps keep energy cost down and provides optimum efficiency with air flow with in your home. Drink safe clean water once again; replace water filters for refrigerators and whole home filter systems. Inspect toilets and faucets for drips and leaks, did you know you can save quite a bit on a water bill by replacing a simple washer on a faucet.  

Since each maintenance situation is different, you should contact a professional handyman if any questions may arise for your home maintenance.