Dec 9, 2022 | Residential
Are you ready for freezing temperatures and winter storms? Get your house prepared for winter weather! Here are seven steps to ensure a cozy winter in your home!
- HVAC inspection
Keeping your HVAC up to date is vital so it does not fail when it’s freezing outside. Having a seasonal HVAC tune-up will increase the longevity of your HVAC. Changing the filters may seem too easy, but it will allow cleaner air and help the flow of your HVAC.
- Caulk windows and doors
Doing this will prevent cold air from sneaking in or water damage. Keep all the cold sealed out!
- Get your roof inspected
It is easier to fix a few damaged shingles rather than water damage over many spots on your roof. Winter storms can be harsh on your roof, so it is crucial to make sure there are no weak spots. Snow can get very heavy and will take a toll on weak or old roofs.
- Clean gutters
Doing this every season is key to ensuring your gutters and home are not damaged. If there are blockages and leaves stuck in the gutters, then adding snow could rip your gutters off from the weight. Cleared gutters will also help keep excess water from damaging your home.
- Test smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
Your heating systems will constantly be running, so make sure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are up to date. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), carbon monoxide poisoning peaks in the winter. Keeping extra batteries on hand for your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors could be a lifesaver.
- Clean chimney & order firewood
If you have a fireplace, cleaning your chimney before winter will prevent chimney fires. Over time the burning of wood builds up creosote, which is very flammable and can cause a chimney fire.
- Shut down pool, sprinkler system & drain outside faucets
When the temperatures reach freezing or below, any water left in outside piping will freeze and can potentially crack the piping. Shutting down the outdoor drainage, sprinklers, and pool and covering spigots with an insulated cover will help prevent you from having to spend a lot more money on repairs or replacing them entirely.
P&R Property Consulting Group is here to help prepare your house for the winter to ensure you and your family stay warm and safe!
CDC Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/publications/spotlights/cospotlight.htm
Jul 11, 2018 | Maintenance
Summers can be grueling. From the damp, humid air to the hot sun beating down, most of us have endured some rough summer heat. Keeping hydrated and staying inside during the hottest part of the day will lesson the effects on our bodies. But what about our homes? We need them to stay as cool as possible so that we can stay as cool as possible!
Keeping energy costs in mind, here are some tips and ideas to help your home stay cool.
- Turn off lights in your home. This is an easy step to take, but often over-looked. Keeping your lights off when not in use can help lower the warmth of a room, especially if the bulbs are incandescent. Another great tip, switch all your bulbs to LED!
- Reduce sunlight. Keeping out direct sunlight will help keep the temperature down. Install blinds or curtains and keep them drawn. Don’t forget to check your windows for any damage and think about replacing them if needed.
- Keep cooking to a minimum. Easier said than done, of course. But on those really hot days, opt to make cold foods (salad), grill out or use appliances that don’t heat up your kitchen so much.
- Set ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. Reversing the rotation of the blades will help push hot air up towards the ceiling, helping you feel cooler.
- Use heat-emanating appliances at the cooler part of the day (night). Running your dryer at night when it’s cooler will help keep the temp down in your home.
- Open windows at night. If you live in a state that has much cooler nighttime temperatures, use it to your advantage and open your windows. Keep safety in mind and only keep upper windows open through the night.
Keeping up with the maintenance on your home will also play a role in keeping it cool and lowering energy costs when the A/C is constantly running. Replacing air filters, repairs to weather-stripping on doors & windows and regular HVAC tune-ups are all important steps to take.
Request a quote today!
Jun 27, 2018 | Maintenance
Let’s talk windows for a moment.
They are an integral part of any home, residence or business. They provide light, air and security, while also keeping temperatures comfortable and energy costs low.
So when do you know if they aren’t living up to their full potential? A good quality and well-maintained window can have a lifespan of 20+ years (although other factors come into play, including living near the coast for example), but windows have a way of letting you know when it’s time for an update.
Signs it’s Time:
The obvious signs come from damage, warping or breaks. In some instances the issues can be repaired (weatherstripping or hardware for instance), but in most cases it is preferable to replace the window entirely. Fogginess, drafts, sticking/hard to open and not staying open windows are all giving signs that it’s time to evaluate replacement.
The next thing to consider is reducing your energy costs. Windows play a major role in the efficient heating and cooling of your home/residence. They provide sunshine (allowing heat) in the winter and can be opened in the Spring for those cool breezes to enter. Drafty windows that aren’t doing their job properly can cause your energy bill to increase by 20-25%. If this is the case, it’s definitely time to shop-around for new, energy efficient windows.
Renovating a historic home? It’s important to remember that a homes windows are a main focal point and they should always be in-keeping with the integrity of the building. Historical homes require new windows that are historically accurate, or even custom replicas. The cost will likely be more, but the overall charm of the building will remain.
Maybe your home just needs a makeover and it’s time to re-fresh and renovate. Windows can really make an impact on the style and look of your residence. They are one of the most prominent features of a home, and one of the first things seen from the outside. Not only should you consider their overall look, think about the functionality of the window and the amount of light you’d like to add to each room.
Thinking about selling? Nothing helps sell a home more than updated kitchens, bathrooms, roofing and windows. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, having new energy efficient windows will help your home stand out from the crowd in a buyers-market!
Lastly, one thing to always take into consideration when replacing your windows – location. Where your home or business is located will impact what type of window will work best. Not all windows are the same. Research and talk to professionals who can help guide you to the appropriate windows for your needs.
P&R Property Consulting Group have installed many windows (and doors!) over the years. From the planning to the installation, we make sure our customers have the right fit windows for their property.
Request a quote today!
Mar 28, 2018 | Maintenance
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance
Keeping your home or business in tip-top shape can take a lot of time and effort; something not all of us have enough of! Being proactive about what needs to be done can help save you money and a major headache down the road.
Preventative maintenance is key to avoiding issues that can arise at a later date. Just like your car (think oil changes and tire rotations), your home needs preventative maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
Preventative Maintenance Checklist:
- Changing air filters quarterly
- Checking all plumbing and plumbing fixtures for leaks
- Changing smoke detector batteries
- Gutter cleaning
- Examining and fixing as needed of any caulk and/or sealant issues
- Replacing weather stripping as needed
- Dryer vent/duct cleaning
- Draining water heaters annually
Changing your air filters on a regular basis helps keep the airflow in your home fresh and healthy. Air filters are the key to keeping your HVAC system running smoothly and prevent any major issues. Clogged air filters are the number one reason for HVAC system failures.
Plumbing issues and leaky faucets/pipes are the main cause of increased bills and wasted water.
Check your plumbing and the inside of your toilet (flapper/valves) on a regular basis can help save you hundreds of dollars. This is an important step for every home, but imperative for multi-family communities where multiple defective faucets/toilets can amass to huge amounts of wasted money.
Changing smoke detector batteries is a no-brainer. Keeping your home fire-free is of course a number one concern of any home or business owner. Keep your smoke detectors working properly with regular battery changes.
Gutter cleaning is one of those often over-looked maintenance requirements. Clogged gutters can cause many issues to your roof, foundation and the surrounding areas. Keeping your gutters clean and the flow of water away from your home, is a very important step in preventive maintenance.
Fixing broken or damaged sealant/caulk issues can help keep mold at bay and prevent leaks and erosion. It also keeps the pests away and out of your home.
Weather stripping helps keep your home at the temperature you’ve set it and saves on energy costs. Replacing damaged weather-stripping is an easy preventative fix that will keep your home feeling comfortable and your bills looking low.
Getting your dryer vent cleaned out on a regular basis is another of those often over-looked preventative maintenance items that is highly important. Dryer vent fires are the leading cause of household fires and are on the increase. Water damage and appliance failure are also issues caused by clogged dryer vents. Having your vent cleaned regularly is not only for safety, it can also help save on your energy costs.
Lastly the draining of water heaters (or “flushing”) can help save your water heater from a premature breakdown, lack of hot water and any troubling noises coming from it. Having your water heater annually flushed will help remove the buildup of sediment at the bottom of your tank, which is the leading cause of the above issues.
P&R has been helping our customers for years with preventative maintenance. We care about keeping your home and businesses safe and in a pristine and healthy condition, and believe that preventive maintenance is key.
Feel free to contact us today with any questions, or to secure a free QUOTE!
