FIRST IMPRESSIONS

“It’s what’s on the inside that counts”…. I’m sure you’ve all heard this at some point in your life; but when it comes to your home, the outside is surely just as important.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression and having an attractive front-entryway instantly enhances your home’s appearance and can leave a very positive first impression as well as greatly increasing the resale value of your home.

What do you see when you approach your front door?  Remember, when your guests arrive, they probably spend a bit longer staring at your entryway while waiting for you to answer.  Does the thought of this make you cringe? If so, you don’t have to spend a bundle to get that fabulous first impression your hoping for.

Let’s take a look at the door…could it use some TLC?  Does it need to be replaced all together or simply need a ‘face-lift’?   Is the existing door a wood door?  If so, it most likely can be sanded, re-stained/painted and sealed for a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new one. 

 Take a look at these before and after photos and let me know what you think?

Before - San Anselmo, CA

After, San Anselmo, CA

After - Novato, CA

Before - Novato, CA

If your front door is a steel door and has dents, rust or faded paint, then installing a new exterior door may be a better way to go (though these can be painted as well).   There are many doors to choose from if you decide to replace it.  The three most common materials are Wood, Steel and Fiberglass Doors.

Let’s take a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of the three:

Wood Doors:

Advantages:       Beautiful Wood Grain

                              Easy to repair if scratched

                              High end look

                              Warm feel to touch

Disadvantages:  Expensive

                              Absorbs Moisture

                              Fades

                              Non Energy Efficient

                              Requires regular maintenance

Steel Doors:

Advantages:        Less Expensive

                              Good insulation value

                              Secure

                              Energy Efficient

Disadvantages:  Easily Dented

                              Paint chipping

                              Reacts to outside temperature: cold or hot to touch

                              Scratches and rust

Fiberglass Doors:

Advantages:        Both wood grain and smooth finish

                              Resistant to scratches and dents

                              Energy-efficient

                              Can be painted or stained

                              Secure

                              Good Insulation

Disadvantages:  Low life span compared to other materials 

Replacing an entry door altogether can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars depending upon the style you choose along with the hardware.   So, sometimes a simple, less expensive 'face-lift' is all that is needed to add curb appeal to your home and get that positive first impression you so desire.

Popcorn (Acoustic) Ceiling Removal

Have you ever thought about getting rid of your out of date popcorn ceiling?  Removing an acoustic (popcorn) ceiling is a relatively simple process, but not necessarily a pleasant one.  Once completed though, you will not only have a home that is more up-to-date, but one that will have a higher re-sale value!

Here are a few reasons why I recommend removing your popcorn (acoustic) ceiling in your home.

Appearance – In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons to get rid of your old popcorn ceiling is appearance.  I personally do not like the look of a ‘cottage cheese’ ceiling; in fact, this style often brings down the value of your home and often makes the house look old fashioned..  Popcorn ceilings were the 'in' thing back in the 1950's - 1970's because of their sound absorption as well as the ability to hide imperfections and shoddy workmanship.  Things started to change in the 80's and most homes from that point on were built without popcorn ceilings, but with a smooth texture instead.

Allergies - Over the course of time acoustic ceilings collect dust and dirt and with no way to really clean it.  If you paint over it, you’re only trapping in the grime, which eventually can ruin the ceiling.    If you suffer from allergies and have a popcorn ceiling, removing the popcorn and replacing it with a smooth, cleanable surface can help reduce your allergies significantly.  Things that you are allergic too, such as dust mites, tend to get stuck in the porous areas of the ceiling.

Aroma – Popcorn ceilings absorb not only sound, but smells as well.  They tend to be a problem in the kitchen area due to the strong odors from cooking.  Another problem I have noticed all too often, is if you smoke indoors, not only does the smell gets trapped in your ceiling; it also turns an ugly shade of yellow that is impossible to remove.

Asbestos – If your home was built pre 1978, there is a fair chance that your ceiling contains asbestos.  If you are thinking of having it removed and your home is built before 1980, it is best to have an asbestos test done.  If asbestos is found it will need to be removed by a licensed abatement company. 

If you decide to tackle this project yourself, here are some basic steps to follow after you have confirmed that there is no asbestos present:

• Clear the room of all contents, including any hanging fixtures. Turn off electricity if you have any exposed wires to avoid electrical shock.
•  Protect walls and floors with a lightweight plastic dropcloth.
• Soften the acoustic material by spraying lightly with water; a pump garden sprayer works well.
• Scrape the popcorn off with a wide-blade taping knife.
• Let the drywall dry overnight. The next day, repair any imperfections with drywall joint compound then sand using a sandpole.
• Apply texture to match the wall finish.
• The final steps are to seal with a drywall primer and then paint.

If this sounds like something you just aren't up to tackling yourself, I would love to help out.  Give me a call or email me for a Free Estimate!

SPRING HOME MAINTENANCE

With warmer weather just around the corner, home and business owners alike, are dusting off their home improvement to-do lists and finding that many of their projects fell through the cracks this past year.

Here are a few tips to consider for your spring home maintenance check-list:

Inspect the outside of your home as well as other wooden structures for dry rot.  Use a screwdriver to probe areas you believe there might be wood rot.  If the tip exposes any soft or mushy areas, this should be added to your list of home maintenance chores.  Some areas to inspect include wood siding and corner trim as well as window sills and trim. 

Inspect your window and door screens.  I love fresh air which means having my doors and windows open.  Now is the time to start cleaning and making sure that your screens are free from rips and tears as well as bent frames.  You don’t want any unwelcome critters entering your home.

If you have a crawl space or basement, make sure to inspect it for standing water and/or excessive moisture.  

If you are like me, I love having fires all winter long.  Now is the time to have your fireplace or wood stove and chimney cleaned and serviced, as needed.  

Another item to include on your list is to start inspecting your deck for deterioration.  Look for loose or cracked wood.  If a deck board feels too spongy, it probably needs to be replaced.  Use the screw driver method mentioned above on the deck posts.  If there is wood rot, it’s time to get this repaired as well.  If you have handrails, make sure they feel secure and not wobbly.

Once your deck seems good to go…why not get it pressure washed as well as sealed.

Oh, the dreaded Spring Cleaning – click HERE for a downloadable list to help make your spring cleaning easier, room by room! 

Why not take your Spring Cleaning one step further and replace last years wall colors with something new or maybe have some ceiling fans installed to help circulate the fresh air.

Adding more storage to your home not only decreases clutter, but increases your home value as well.

In summary, you can do a lot of the small items on your list, but for some of the bigger things like paint, dry rot repair, etc...why not contact Steve's Handyman Service. I can save you time and energy!!

Remember...I am just a phone call away!

GREEN LIVING TIP - RAIN BARRELS

The raining season is fast approaching and one way to “Go Green” this year would be to use a rain barrel. What is a Rain Barrel, you ask? A rain barrel is a container that simply captures and stores rain water draining from your roof.

Benefits of using a rain barrel:

1. During the summer months, a rain barrel can save up to 1,300 gallons of water.
2. Typically, one inch of rain on a roof produces 600 gallons of water!
3. Approximately 40% of our water usage, during the summer, is for watering plants and yards.  Using the water collected in your rain barrel will help save, not only the environment, but money as well.
4. Keeps runoff from washing into yards and nearby drain systems or streams by placing a rain barrel under a downspout.
5. Makes you feel good about yourself for helping the environment.

Barrels can range from a 40 to 200 gallon capacity and have a convenient spigot for filling water cans as well as a connection for a soaker hose. They usually sit up against your home under a water spout you insert to direct the rain water down from the roof gutter. The barrels have a screen on top to help filter out debris as well as keeping mosquitoes from getting inside. Barrels come in all shape and sizes and can also be painted to match the color of your home. Some barrels have containers on top that can be used as flower planters as well. 

Watch this short You Tube video on the Benefits of a rain barrel.

If you would like to talk more about getting one or more rain barrels installed, please give me a call.  I would love to help out.

FALL MAINTENANCE TIPS

Fall is just around the corner and the cooler air outside means goodbye summer! The next few weeks are a good time to get outside and provide some important maintenance to your property.

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As the weather grows colder,  and the days get shorter here in Marin and Sonoma county, it’s important to start preparing for the fall and winter months ahead by completing your outdoor home maintenance chores.  

I have listed some fall preventative home maintenance tips that every homeowner should follow:

Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year to rid them of clogs from damp, heavy, fallen leaves. Gutters that are not properly cleaned are havens for insect infestations. Clogged gutters can also lead to much more costly repairs due to water damage and wood rot. 

Windows and doors can cost you lots of money on your heating bills. You don't have to replace your windows and doors, but just by simply replacing seals and caulking around them can help improve on your energy costs.  

If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, you want to make sure that they have been thoroughly cleaned and inspected before use. This should also be done annually before you start burning wood. Make sure that the chimney is also free from excessive creosote, which could lead to chimney fires.

Before the cold weather sets in for the winter, it's important to be sure to inspect all of your duct work and your heating system. Be sure to also open up the vents and vacuum out any debris. Change your filters before firing up your furnace for the first time this year.

Be sure to check your roof for any leaks or missing tiles. You will want to replace the problem tiles and/or shingles that need to be replaced, and patch any holes to help prevent further damage from the wet winter weather.

It is also important to make sure all wood decks, fences and outbuildings have been properly stained and sealed for the seasonal weather.

Finally, fall is also a good time of the year to do any interior painting. Give your walls a fresh new look.  If you have dull, dark rooms in your home, this is the time to brighten them up with a fresh new coat of paint.