Handyman Staff

Ashphalt Driveway Sealing by Handyman Staff LLC

We will call you the morning of or the night before your appointment if weather prohibits us from sealcoating your asphalt driveway.

Information on our procedures and some preparations for the home owners to follow.

Procedures:

• When the staff arrives they will knock on your door to make sure your cars have been moved and let you know they are there.

• They will prime any oil or gas spots and edge your driveway. (Note- our staff carry no type of pruning equipment. If you have any overgrown bushes, scrubs or ivy they will do their best to go either under or around them.)

• We will use a high powered gas blower to remove any debris.

• Apply a coal tar emulsion sealer. It will dry to a jet black finish and protect your driveway from damage caused by weather, gas, and oil. After the sealcoating is finished they will block off your driveway to traffic and let you know the job has been completed.

Facts:

• In 2 to 4 hours your driveway will be dry enough to walk on.

• You can put your car back on the driveway after 24 hours.

• If your pet should get sealer on their paws while it is still wet rinse with water as soon as possible.

• No one needs to be home for us to seal your driveway. If no one answers the door we will assume your cars have been moved and we will sealcoat your driveway.

Preparing for your driveway to be sealcoated:

• We recommend you move your cars the night before or the morning of your appointment.

• Make sure if you have an automatic sprinkler system that it is turned off. You may also want to check with your neighbor if you get run off from their system.

• Please remove any basketball hoops, large flower pots, furniture, or any other items that would hinder the sealcoating of your driveway. If you are unable to do this we will put them to the side of your drive. If the items seem to be in disrepair and we feel that they can not be moved with causing possible damage we will seal around them.

Clogged downspouts and overflowing gutters can lead to extensive damage to you home, landscaping, and basement walls. Gutter cleaning by Handyman Staff LLC is done by hand and bagged at the roof level, so no debris falls on the yard below and we always check downspouts to ensure proper drainage. We offer gutter repair and have both liability insurance (the window is covered if we break it) and workers compensation insurance (the leg is covered if we break it). If you don't feel like dragging out the ladder and doing it yourself, our gutter cleaning services are quick and reasonably priced. Also, we offer soffit, fascia, gutter installation, and repair services. Our staff will provide service beyond your expectations.

• In most locations, it's typically recommended that gutters be cleaned in spring and fall. If your lot is very heavily wooded, you may consider adding a third annual cleaning

Our fees for gutter cleaning services are calculated on site for accurate quote.

There is a lot of discussion these days about saving energy and using energy efficient light fixtures. What are they? How can you do it? And, what should you look for? These are all common questions when trying to tackle this task. The professional craftsmen with Handyman Staff LLC can definitely help you by choosing the right light fixtures and bulbs, and installing them for you. Here are a few tips to get your started.

1. Switching to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and replacing light fixtures with energy efficient ones can save up to 75% on energy costs. When you go into your home improvement store, you will notice that fluorescent bulbs are taking over more and more of the shelf space. This is due to the high demand for saving energy and saving money. Fluorescent bulbs will cost a little more to purchase than the standard bulbs we have been used to in the past, but they will pay for themselves in the long run and help the environment. These bubs can last seven to ten times longer than regular bulbs.
2. When shopping, the energy star label means a fixture meets strict guidelines for energy efficiency. The government has forced manufactures to produce the lights in accordance with new energy saving methods. Each product that meets those guidelines will have an Energy Star Label on the box for easy viewing. This makes choosing your products much easier.
3. When removing the old light, making notes will help in wiring the new one. You can avoid mistakes on the ladder by doing a dry run on the floor first. And, if you can use the old mounting hardware, it will save a step or two. If you don't feel comfortable changing a light fixture, you can always call the professionals at Handyman Matters. And don't forget to turn off the breaker first!
4. Outdoors, energy efficient fixtures save money by using CFL Bulbs and shutting off automatically in daylight. Many of the newer light fixtures have sensors on them which will turn on at dusk and turn off at sunrise. You won't have to remember to do this each day or worry if you forgot to shut them off while you are at work. Some will also come with motion sensors so that they only turn on when there is motion in front of it. This is a great option for flood lights or walkway lighting. If no one is around to need it, it just stays off and saves your energy.
5. Sealing the base of your fixtures will help keep out moisture. This is a simple step that many builders forget to do and most homeowners neglect to do. Buy a tube of 100% Silicone and a caulk gun. You can go around your home and seal up each of the exterior lights. You want to make sure that you seal the gap between the light fixture and the wall or siding. This gap will not only allow bugs and other critters to enter your home, but moisture and air will leak through as well. By stopping this leak, you will save energy on home heating and cooling, as well as preventing costly repairs by moisture entering your walls.
6. You can also save energy by turning off overhead lights in favor of task lighting. Just use what you need. Under cabinet lights in the kitchen or a reading light in the bedroom does the job at a fraction of the cost. Those big ceiling lights with four to six bulbs can be four to six times the cost to run than using just one task light.

We can all do a better job at being energy efficient, especially at our homes. This is a great place to start. If you need help in choosing, purchasing, or installing any of these items above, please feel free to email us...your local Handyman Staff LLC to help. We look forward to helping you save energy - and money!

If you want to attempt to install your own ceiling fan there are two things that you must be comfortable with first. Working on a ladder is difficult sometimes and you must not be afraid of heights. Second and most important, you need to take the necessary precautions to work with electricity safely. If you are not up for those two things, please call a professional, like the expert craftsmen of Handyman Staff LLC.

Whenever possible, you should work on this project with a partner. If anything happens to you, you'll need someone present to seek medical attention, and...it's always nice to have a helper while you are up on the ladder. Begin with turning off the electricity at the breaker box. You can use two-way radios, cell phones, or even a baby monitor if you can't hear one another while locating the right breaker.

Because fans can weigh up to 50 pounds, it's important to install a support brace between the ceiling joists. If your ceiling has drywall on it, you may need to access the joists through the attic. Use a 2x4 cut to fit in between joists and nail it in place. If replacing an existing fixture, make sure the electrical box is either attached to the support brace or the joist. A safe and secure light box will also help to keep your fan from shaking and wobbling after you install it.

Next, install the ceiling fan bracket by screwing it through the electrical box and into the support brace. Then raise the fan and hook the canopy slots onto the bracket tabs. Now match the wires from the electrical box to the wires from the fan following the manufacturer's instructions. Twist the ends together and fasten them with wire nuts.

Place the wires into the electrical box and attach the cover. Slip the cover's keyhole slots over the screws to keep it in place and then finish installing the rest of them. Slip the trim ring up over the screws to cover them up.

Finally, attach and install the blades. If there is a light, attach it by clicking the light connector to the corresponding fan connector and then screw the fixture to the fan.

Now sit back and enjoy the gentle cooling breeze as well as the lower energy costs your new ceiling fan provides. Remember to change the direction of the fan twice a year. In the summer, we want the blades to blow down on us creating a nice breeze. And, in the winter months, we want to blades rotating up so that it circulates the warm air from the floor and up to the ceiling and back down again. Using your new fan this way will add comfort and value savings to your energy bill. If you ever need assistance with purchasing and/or installing a ceiling fan, please don't hesitate to email the professionals at Handyman Staff LLC