Categories Home safety

Three Pesky Stair Problems and How to Fix Them

Stairs, especially in older homes, can be a beautiful focal point.

But over the years, continuous foot traffic can lead to sloping, loose boards, faulty handrails, etc.

All of these pose serious risks to you, your loved ones, and even family pets.

While some of the common issues with stairs may not be dangerous, they can be annoying. Read on to find out some quick and simple DIY fixes for common stair troubles.

 

How to Fix Common Problems With Stairs

1. Wobbly Handrails

Loose or jiggly handrails should be addressed immediately, since the longer you put it off, the more risk you face.

When it comes to handrails, there are many ways they can be configured: fixed to the wall with brackets, secured with a newel post, screwed into a wall plate, or even a combo of each of these.

 

What to do if the handrails have brackets:

This is an easy fix, just change out the screws. It doesn’t matter if they are installed into the wall or directly to the handrail.

What to do for handrails on newel posts:

There are a few options here. But if the problem is with the post, you just need to install larger and longer lag screws into the base of the newel post.

If the problem isn’t the actual post, check the handrail fasteners and tighten with a wrench.

 

2. Noisy Stairs

This is usually the most persistent and pestering issue with stairs. The creaking noise we all try to tiptoe around and hold our breath when making late night trips to the kitchen. Luckily, this is an easy fix!

 

What to do for creaking stairs:

Identify the source of the sound and determine if it’s louder on one side than the other. Then, hammer in a thin nail or screw to the support board and make sure your fastener is aligned with the others.

 

3. Broken Treads

Not all of the dangers are inside the home. If you have a small staircase or patio stairs outside of your home, you must be mindful of their condition as well.

Mainly because they are more exposed to the elements, they require much more upkeep.

 

What to do if the tread of your stairs is damaged:

You should replace them immediately. You have a few options here: aluminum, vinyl rubber, or carpet.

Bonus! Stair tread can extend the life of your stairs by protecting them from the wear and tear of continuous foot traffic. For extra safety consider adding tread to stairs in areas around decks or pools.

 

As you can see many of the common problems have a simple (and cheap) solution that won’t even take up your entire weekend. Addressing these issues right away can prevent serious accidents.

 

Extra Safety Tips

  1. Keep stairs well-lit by installing light switches at the top and bottom of staircases.
  2. Remove loose carpet or throw rugs from the landings.
  3. Be diligent about removing clutter.
  4. Consider painting the edge of each step a contrasting color so that it is easily visible.
  5. Keep an eye on the conditions and maintain upkeep accordingly.

As always we hope these tips will help keep you and your home safe! If you have some concerns about other areas of your home, don’t hesitate to reach out.

 

Schedule an inspection here!

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Categories Home safety

Keep These Trees Away From Your Home

For many of us our home is our sanctuary, and we put a lot of time and money into making it comfortable and appealing — inside and out.

When it comes to the outside, you may think you have free reign and can get away with most landscaping choices.

However, there are actually quite a few landscaping decisions you should avoid, especially when it comes to trees.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of sprucing up the outside of your home by planting a tree or two, be sure you avoid these specific types.

Before you head to a nursery double check this list so you don’t find yourself in a situation more trouble than it’s worth.

Trees to Avoid Planting Near Your Home

 1. Silver Maple

These trees are big and grow fast, and they give off great shade.

But because of their rapid growth, they are more susceptible to brittle, weak wood that can easily break off during storms.

They also have shallow roots that can invade plumbing systems and even destroy your walkway or driveway.

 

2. Cottonwood

This is a favorite…for those in the tree removal business!

Although beautiful, these trees come with a running list of headache-inducing issues you’ll be dealing with way down the road.

Because they are wet trees, they are more likely to rot easily and quickly, so they attract insects which will lead to quick decay.

And finally they have a short lifespan of only 25-35 years, meaning you’ll be calling in the removal services.

 

3. Mimosas

There’s not much to say here except your neighbors probably won’t appreciate you much: this disease-prone species will spread their seeds and sprout in yards within a quarter-mile of your own.

Additionally, they’re typically only beautiful two weeks out of the year and sport unattractive brown seed pods the rest of the year.

 

4. White Mulberry

Yes, we can hear the sound of your hearts breaking, but stick with us and you’ll never want to see another Mulberry in your life.

Not only are these extremely messy, but they have extremely aggressive roots that will crack your pavement.

If that’s not enough to deter you, maybe this will do the trick: these allergy-inducing trees produce berries that birds love, but unfortunately it’s a laxative for them.

Just imagine what fun that will be for you, your car, the side of your house, etc.

 

5. Willow

Thanks to their low hanging and slender branches, Willows are one of the most easily recognized trees out there.

However, they’ve got some seriously thirsty roots that will attack your sewer lines, irrigation pipes, and drain fields. Also, they have a very short life span of about 30 years.

 

We hope we didn’t make you too sad with this list of trees you never want to plant near your home. But ultimately we’re here to give you great professional advice to keep your beloved home in tip-top shape.

If this list has you thinking about other precautions you should take for the home, give us a call! We can help reassure you that your home is in good condition.

Schedule an inspection here!

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Categories Home Inspection

Eight Unusual Cleaning Tips Guaranteed to Make Spring Cleaning Fun

cleaning tips

Recently we talked about how to best prep for your spring cleaning ventures.

If you’ve found it difficult to motivate yourself and get the tasks done, maybe these unusual cleaning tricks will be just what you need.

We all have a trick or two that we likely learned from our grandma, like shining silver with some toothpaste, but have you ever wondered about some other kooky cleaning tips?

Stick with us for some unconventional, but totally effective cleaning methods for your home.

Nowadays there’s a scrub, spray, and sponge for everything; but sometimes it’s not necessary to make a run out to the store when you likely have some great products already in your pantry.

 

1. Potatoes to Make Glass Sparkle

If your glassware has water marks or mineral stains take a few slices of freshly peeled potato skins and buff away. Voilà! Your glass will be sparkling in no time.

 

2. Baby Oil for the Toilet:

Cheap and available almost anywhere, baby oil is a great polisher to apply to chrome fixtures. Put a few drops on a cloth and take to your faucets, toilet handle, and even the toilet bowl until the porcelain is gleaming just how you like.

 

3. Save Your Wooden Coffee Table

Noticing rings from glasses and mugs on your favorite side table?

No need to start shopping around for a new one — just put a little olive oil and salt on a cloth or cotton ball and rub across the table. Within a few hours the rings should disappear

 

4. Manicures for the Toilet

If you have problems with rusty toilet hardware or shifting seats, paint a few coats of clear nail polish on bolts and screws. They’ll be less likely to loosen and rust!

 

5. Long Live the Screen Door

If you have a screen door, you may think the only way to keep it looking fresh is to replace it every so often.

However, a simple lint roller can keep pet hair, cobwebs, and other debris out of the screen and helping prolong the life a little while longer.

 

6. Ditch Funky Smells

If your garbage disposal has been smelling odd lately, there’s an easy fix!

Just turn off the disposal (important!) and use an old tooth brush (also important!) to clean the undersides of the splash guard. Typically old food and grime gets caught up underneath.

 

7. Bring the Car to the Kitchen

Well, not literally! But using any basic water based degreaser from an auto parts store can be just the thing your oven range hood filter needs to revive its life.

 

8. Don’t Forget the Dishwasher

Your dishwasher can harbor harmful bacteria and mold if not disinfected regularly. Run an empty cycle with bleach, baking soda, and vinegar to help keep it fresh.

 

Have you ever tried any of these strange solutions?

Which ones are you eager to test out?

Leave a comment below and let us know or add a few things to our list!

If you haven’t scheduled your annual home inspection yet we can help! Book now with our easy online system and you can check off one more thing from your to-do list!

 

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Categories Home safety

Surefire Ways to Tackle Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

The official start to spring just around the corner!

You are probably making up a quick to-do list in your head of all the spring cleaning items you’ll soon be tackling.

If you are avoiding it, it might be because you don’t like getting rid of stuff or you feel it’s too big of a task.

While many families dread spring cleaning, it doesn’t actually have to be so terrible.

So if you’ve never done a proper spring cleaning or you seem to lose your steam halfway through, follow our tips to stay on top of it:

 

Strategies are Essential for Success

Taking on a deep clean of the entire home is a big task, so you will need a plan.

Start by organizing tasks by each room and focus on the areas that have been neglected rather than re-cleaning something that has recently received attention.

A plan will not only keep you sane, but it will make the whole process more efficient and less stressful.

 

Free Yourself from Clutter First

Before you do anything, you’re going to have to roll up your sleeves and get into the clutter.

Assign each family member a room or even make them responsible for their own things.

Separate items into donate, sell, and trash piles. Clearing out the unnecessary mess will make the entire cleaning process that much easier.

 

Assemble a First Aid Kit

We’re not talking about a real first aid kit with bandages and ointments.

This is more of a home first aid kit, with all the essentials you’ll need to perform a proper clean.

You’re going to need things like: an all-purpose cleaner, disinfecting wipes, rubber gloves, glass cleaner, duster, microfiber cloths, etc.

Pro-tip: Investing in a suitable vacuum will definitely payoff.

 

Take Everything Apart

It’s important, especially when dusting or vacuuming, that you get every nook and cranny.

Take everything off of the shelf, bookcase, move the furniture, etc. rather than just dusting around it. A little extra effort now will do your home, and your possessions, some good in the long run.

 

Don’t Forget the Fridge

Even if you fancy yourself diligent in throwing out expired foods, you should take an hour or two to really focus on your fridge.

Remove everything and check it all. Wipe down containers with leftovers and then spray down the inside of the refrigerator with water and vinegar before putting everything back.

Pro-tip: Clean your fridge’s condenser coil to prolong the life of your appliance.

 

Spring cleaning is not so daunting if you take the time to make a game plan… and then stick to it!

 

Are You Ready?

Is this your first spring cleaning rodeo?

If not, would you add anything to the list? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear from you!

We hope these tips will serve you well and help you prepare your home for the warmer months.

If you haven’t had your annual home inspection do it now! This is an easy thing to tick off your to-do list.

 

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