I am dismayed when I hear about a homeowner who has been scammed by a person who calls himself a handyman or home repair contractor. Scam artists seem to “pop up” when the weather gets warm, sometimes going door-to-door asking for work or will even stuff a flyer into a mailbox offering to do a variety of home repair services. There are also people who work as “independents” and offer a very low price to do a job. Sadly, they may not have the experience, skills or tools to do the job right. Shoddy work puts a homeowner in the position of having to pay twice for the job, once for the initial work and again to have the work done right.
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Topics:
Repair and Maintenance,
Hiring a Contractor,
HomeRepair by McClurg
Your home is mostly likely one of your greatest investments. To protect your investment, it is important to be able to spot small problems before they become major expenses. Dry rot is one of those problems.
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Topics:
How-To Tips,
Repair and Maintenance,
HomeRepair by McClurg
Homes are like people. In order to be in the best shape possible, you have to pay attention to the signs that something may be wrong. For our homes, we do this each spring and fall with a home maintenance check-up.
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Topics:
Repair and Maintenance,
Roofs,
HomeRepair by McClurg
Today's guest blogger is Paul Jones, Project Consultant for HomeRepair by McClurg. Paul has worked in the residential construction business for 12 years. Prior to that he worked for 20 years in commercial construction. He has been with the McClurg team for over five years and specializes in small- to medium-sized home repair projects.
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Topics:
How-To Tips,
Repair and Maintenance,
Roofs,
Skylights,
HomeRepair by McClurg
With temperatures this morning well below zero, we expect to be getting calls about frozen water pipes. It's not unusual after a bitterly cold night like we had last night for homeowners to turn on the water and see a trickle of water then nothing. If this happens to you, your pipes may be in danger of bursting and will need to be thawed. We've outlined steps below on how to thaw frozen pipes. If in doubt, we recommend calling a professional.
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Topics:
How-To Tips,
Repair and Maintenance,
HomeRepair by McClurg
December 2010 set records for snowfall in Central New York. Along with lake effect snows, there have been periods of thawing and refreezing causing problems for homeowners by creating ice dams - ridges of ice that prevent melting water from draining off the roof. Ice dams cause water ponds on roofs which can back up under shingles, seep into insulation and leak into the attic or along exterior walls. This water infiltration can lead to mold, mildew, interior wall/ceiling damage and rot.
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Topics:
How-To Tips,
Roofs,
HomeRepair by McClurg
Porches are a great addition to homes, especially in Central New York where our spectacular summers are far too short. A porch can be a place for relaxation, outdoor dining or even sleeping on a warm summer night. Screened porches extend the time you can spend enjoying summer breezes by protecting you from insects.
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Topics:
Lighting,
Repair and Maintenance,
Home Renovation,
Painting,
HomeRepair by McClurg,
Porches
As you may have heard or read about in the news, starting April 22, 2010 all contractors performing renovation, repair or painting on pre-1978 homes must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. If you live in a house built before 1978, there's a good chance it contains lead paint.
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Topics:
Certifications,
Lead Paint Safety,
Repair and Maintenance,
Renovating,
Home Renovation,
Hiring a Contractor,
Painting,
HomeRepair by McClurg
Cracked or missing grout not only looks bad but it can cause water seepage and mildew growth.
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Topics:
Bathrooms,
How-To Tips,
Repair and Maintenance,
HomeRepair by McClurg
Caulk is used to fill gaps and seal areas. Caulk applied around windows and doors reduces drafts and prevents water leaks. Around bathroom and kitchen fixtures, it provides a water proof seal. Caulk is applied around counters for aesthetics, and is also used by painters to eliminate gaps between walls and trim.
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Topics:
Kitchens,
Bathrooms,
How-To Tips,
Repair and Maintenance,
HomeRepair by McClurg
