Category Archives: Home Tips

Things to Check Before Calling an Air Conditioner Repair Professional

With the summer months approaching, people get more conscious about the proper functioning of their air conditioning system. An air conditioning system consists of many components, and all these components must be working at their optimum capacity for the proper functioning of your AC.

To ensure that your AC can provide you with uninterrupted cooling during the hot summer months, you need to contact an air conditioner repair Jacksonville. However, before you do that, you can check a few things that can help identify the issues with your air conditioning system.

Diagnosing these issues beforehand will eliminate costly repair by a professional. You will also save a lot of money, time, and most importantly, enjoy an interrupted service.

1. Check whether there is electrical power.

This may seem like a no-brainer. However, many people call air conditioner repair, Jacksonville, only to find out that there was no electric supply to the air conditioning system.

Check the fuse box and also check the circuit breaker switch. If the circuit breaker switch is in the off position, turn it on. If the switch is in the correct position, you can turn it off and on again to reboot it.

Sometimes your air conditioner may not receive electricity supply due to damaged wiring. In such a case, you can replace the wiring of your cooling system, and it will resume its normal functioning.

2. Check your thermostat setting.

Before you call an air conditioner repair, Jacksonville, it is essential to check the thermostat settings. As soon as you turn on the air conditioner, the thermostats fan should turn on.

If you can’t hear the humming sound, check whether the thermostat is in on position. Also, check the temperature setting on your machine. The temperature in the thermostat should be lower than the room temperature for effective cooling.

3. Check your air filter.

Before calling a professional, it is essential to check your air filters.

A blockage in the air filter can prevent the cool air from flowing through ducts and vents.

This can cause your system to overwork to produce the desired temperature in your room. A blocked air filter causes unnecessary strain on your system and may eventually lead to more severe component failure. Dirty filters can also cause health issues and need to be replaced at the earliest.

4. Check for blockage in the AC drain.

Many air conditioner systems come with a water safety switch. If the condensed water is leaking from the evaporator coil, the switch will cut off the power.

It prevents the internal parts as well as your floor and ceiling from water damage. If you find your condensate pan overflowing, the possible reason could be a blockage on your AC drain. Clean your condensate pan and remove any blockage in the drain, and your system should start working.

5. Check for a blockage in the outdoor unit.

Your outdoor condenser unit is the most susceptible to dirt, dust, and debris. If the outdoor unit is located near a tree, dry leaves may find their way into the system.

It can cause a blockage and prevent your condenser unit from working at its best capacity. Hence, before calling air conditioner repair, Jacksonville, check for any blockage in the outdoor unit.

6. Check whether the condenser unit is overheated.

If you are not getting the desired cooling results from your air conditioner, it is essential to check the location of your outdoor unit. During the hot summer months, the sunrays can cause overheating of your condenser unit.

It can cause your system to overwork to maintain the temperature. This causes a strain on your system and can cause significant problems in the future. If your outdoor unit is at a location that receives direct sunlight, consider building a shade over it before calling a professional.

These are a few essential things that you must check before calling air conditioner repair, Jacksonville. These factors will help you determine whether you need the repair service at all.

How to Remove Wax Spots and Marks from Wood Floors

Your newly installed Phoenix wood floors will become shabby in due course of time, and this is quite natural. This possibility is because of the constant use, which one cannot avoid. Wear and tear is par for the course for regular usage. Hence, it is only wise to comprehend the practical ways of cleaning Phoenix wood floors. Floors are one of the main parts of any building, and here, there will be very high traffic. The force of walking, running, furniture, etc., adds up the pressure the floor will have to bear. Consequently, there will be several mud marks, wax, and other blemishes in many areas. Such stains will be higher in areas like the living room, kitchen, dining room, etc. One will not be able to stay away from this possibility. However, by prudent and perfect cleaning, you can remove these spots, even though the cleaning task is a bit daunting. You must do the process with patience and applying prudence. Or else, there is every possibility that damages may occur to the Phoenix wood floors.

How to Remove Wax Spots and Marks from Wood Floors

Removing the wax spots and marks from the wood floors is indeed significant. When dirt or soil or any kind of scratches occur to the wood floor, the overall look of the space will become more or less clumsy. When you do it in an amateur way, there is every possibility that the surface will get disfigured. Hence, you must do the related task professionally; this is highly vital. There are companies, which specialize in taking away such taints from the Phoenix wood floors. If you hire the services of such companies, they will do the task professionally, and you will be able to regain the lost glamour of the floors.

However, if there is only a little stain, you can try to remove those marks yourself. But, remember, professional help is the best for making the floors shine as before. They will have more technical awareness and expertise. You must always begin to remove the outer edge first and then work inwards. You should remember this principal point, which will save the floor from any damage. In case you overlook this, there is the likelihood that you will make minor dents here and there.

If the stain is somewhat thick, you can use a sharp-edged tool like a small knife or a blade. You must slowly scratch off the outer edge while taking care that the tool does not touch the surface of the wood. Remember, there is the possibility of damage if your scratching touches the wood surface. Hence, you must take double care during the process.

When the mark is due to coffee or tea spill off, you must use a piece of wet cloth. If you do it on the dot, there will not be any stain at all. Sometimes, these marks will be thick; in such cases, you must try to rub it off using a bit of detergent. If again the mark sticks, then you will have to scratch it off using a blade or use sandpaper for scrubbing the spot. Here, you must be very much cautious; there is a good chance that the surface finish of the wooden floor will damage.

If the mark is due to ink or something like that, you will have to clean it using a thick kitchen scrubber. Specific types of wood cleaners are available in the market. You can also use such a cleaner to remove these thick spots.

A little warm water will be enough to remove wax spots if they are small in size. When the hard wax becomes soft, you can easily take it away; this is an effective way. There is another way to remove the wax spot. First, you must remove the outer portion by using a blade. Then point your hair-dryer at medium heat, and after one or two minutes, you will be able to rub it away.

That said, it is always advisable to enter into a contract with a professional wood floor cleaning company, which offers yearly or half-yearly cleaning and maintenance. This arrangement will keep your Phoenix wood floors always shine.

Effective Tips for Bed Bug Removal

Bed bugs have small, narrow bodies, and they can hide anywhere. They are tough, they are smart, and they can lie dormant without eating or moving for months. In fact, on your own, bed bug removal is not easy at all. It can be done much more efficiently and effectively when you have the help of professional extermination services.

Here are some suggestions and tips for bed bug removal that won’t disrupt things in your home too much. There are things that you can do to get started, and knowing more about bed bug behavior is the number one tip to help get rid of them permanently.

Where do bed bugs like to hang out?

Typically, you want to identify the places where the bed bugs are likely to be. The best places to look for them are in folds of a mattress or the couch, in the seams of the cushions, in pillows, or in bedding. If your home has a big infestation, they might be in other dark hiding places around the home, such as in the carpet or underneath the wallpaper.

Finding them early makes bed bug removal easier. How do you know if you have them? You can tell that bed bugs are likely present if you see them, or feel them, or if you notice tiny dark spots from their droppings or blood stains from crushed bugs. You might also know that bed bugs are in bed with you by the presence of itchy, red bites on your body.

Bed bugs probably came into your home from used clothing, bedding, or second-hand furniture. They might have even hitched a ride in your suitcase! Bed bug removal means finding all the bugs and getting rid of all of them.

The best tip for effective bed bug removal is to do nothing by yourself. Chances are, this will make the problem worse.

Don’t spread them around

If you just get up and move to a different room to sleep, the bugs will come with you, and this movement will actually spread the infestation around the house. Keep them to one area, if you can, until you can bring in professional exterminators. Vacuum throughout the room, getting into corners and any other hiding places. Be sure to seal up the vacuumed contents in a plastic bag and throw it away. Then clean the vacuum. Steam Cleaning will kill bed bugs, too, but the steam must reach a temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit, so a carpet cleaner will not be enough.

Heat is the number one key to bed bug removal

Bed bugs are persistent and long living, but they like things easy. They hate extreme temperatures. Very high heat is an effective way to get rid of them. When you wash your bedding, be sure to use the highest possible heat settings. Another way to get rid of bed bugs using heat is to seal the bedding up in black plastic bags and put the bags in a very hot area, such as outside in the summer. Then, wash the bedding in hot water. This is effective, but a great deal of work, and it may not accomplish your objective.

Bed bugs are hard to exterminate on your own

There are ways to kill bed bugs in your home without using chemicals or causing harm or trouble to yourself, but the truth is that it is not easy. Bed bugs keep coming back. They return because not every single bed bug has been killed or vacuumed or removed from the home. If bed bugs remain in any stage of development, from eggs to adult, they will return. Nothing can be more frustrating!

Call professional bed bug removal companies

Heat Treatment is the best option to get rid of them completely, and professional bed bug removal companies have high heat methods that are not harmful to any parts of your home, non-disruptive, and effective. The use of heat treatments is a popular way because this way is safe, chemical free, and odorless. Best of all, it requires one simple application and it is done. All OSHA and environmental regulations are followed.

Myth Vs Truth About Septic Tank Maintenance

Taking adequate steps to maintain and take care of your septic system can ensure its longevity and efficiency. However, most homeowners have little idea about their septic tank. All they know is that it is a tank where their wastewater and sewage go. This has led to confusion amongst homeowners.

Being aware of facts about your septic tank maintenance near me can help you have a well-functioning sewer system for years. However, due to the limited knowledge on the subject, there are numerous myths that homeowners fall prey to.

Let’s discuss these myths and the truth behind them.

Myth 1: Delaying septic tank pumping and maintenance can help you save money.

Many homeowners believe that they can delay the regular pumping and inspection to save some money. They only call for a maintenance professional when they need to get their septic system repaired.

However, this is when the damage is already done. Delaying septic tank plumbing can cause sewage blockage, damage the septic system and even your property.

A tank should be pumped every three to five years, and you should call for septic tank maintenance near you for regular inspection of all parts of the septic system. Septic repairs or replacement can cost thousands of dollars which you can easily avoid by regular pumping and maintenance.

Myth 2: Garbage disposal can be used in a home with a septic tank.

This myth is a lie spread by the advertisement for garbage disposal companies. Many homeowners get garbage disposal installed in their houses, thinking it won’t affect their septic system.

However, food that is passed through the garbage disposal is undigested and takes longer to break down in the tank. Hence, it increases the solid waste in your septic tank that will need to be pumped out.

Hence, you may not see the disadvantages of using a garbage disposal system directly, but it increases the need for regular cleaning and causes sewage backup, blockage, etc.

Myth 3: You can use additives as a substitute for regular pumping.

A well-balanced septic tank has the right amount of bacteria and does not require additional help. However, numerous anti-bacterial cleaners in the market may kill the bacteria and cause an imbalance.

Bacteria in your tank are required to break down the waste and keep the tank healthy and functional. If you are using such cleaners, you can use additives to restore the healthy balance of bacteria.

In any case, additives should not be seen as a substitute for cleaning. Despite the presence of bacteria, some waste can only be cleaned through pumping.

Myth 4: You need to replace your septic tanks after twenty years.

There is a lot of mystery around the lifespan of a septic tank. However, it is impossible to determine the expected life of your tank.

A well-maintained tank with regular pumping and inspection can last for decades. On average, a tank lasts for twenty years to forty years. Also, reducing the non-disposable solid waste will increase the longevity of your septic tank.

Myth 5: It is okay to have a building over a septic tank or drain field.

Constructing a building over your septic tank or drain field can cause many issues. You need to access your septic tank for regular cleaning and maintenance.

Having a building over the tank will also make the inspection and repairs inconvenient. The emergency repairs can become costly, and to get a better reach, you may need to remove the building altogether.

The drain field needs oxygen to maintain a healthy balance and to treat the wastewater. Hence it is recommended to avoid any construction over the septic system.

Myth 6: Yeast can help your septic tank.

This statement is completely untrue. Yeast contains microorganisms that can grow inside your septic tank. They can increase the solid waste in the system rather than breaking it down. Hence, it is not advisable to flush yeast into your septic tank.

Now that you are well aware of myths about septic tank maintenance, you are better prepared to take care of the septic system and avoid safety and health hazards.

Smart Ways to Save on The Costs of Hardwood Floors

Flooring plays an essential part in increasing the aesthetic value of your house and, in most cases, its financial value as well. One of the most preferred flooring choices is hardwood flooring.

Hardwood floors Scottsdale are durable, versatile, and have an unmatched visual appeal. However, the lavish hardwood flooring comes at an exorbitant price.

The cost of high-quality wood, along with installation and labor charges, can cost a significant amount of money. However, with a few tips and tricks, you can save on the cost of hardwood floors and achieve the house of your dreams.

1. Prepare the house for installation of hardwood floors by yourself.

The first step of flooring your house begins with some prep work. You pay professionals for their time and skills. However, some prep work like moving furniture and carpets may not require much skill but can help you save money.

A few things you can do to prepare your house for flooring is

• Removing the furniture

• Ripping the carpets and paddings

• Fixing or replacing the subflooring and quarter round molding

• Installing the underlay for the subfloor

• Installing the new subflooring

Remember, these activities will require strength, and most importantly time. Hence, you need to plan and finish the preparation work proactively.

2. Choose the species, grain, and grade of wood.

The type of wood can make a significant difference in your overall flooring budget. Few minor trade-offs in selecting the species, grain, and grade of wood, can make your dream flooring affordable.

Species

You need to choose the species of wood based on your flooring requirement. However, each species of wood is priced differently and has different strengths, durability, and aesthetics. Some of the popular choices for flooring are mahogany, ash maple, oak, hickory, etc.

Grain

Grain refers to the appearance of patterns or wood fibers on boards depending on the method of sawing. Wave-like patterns from a plain-sawn are an inexpensive option. However, longitudinal patterns are costlier due to the detailed cutting required for rift-sawn and quarter-sawn.

Grade

Grade refers to the natural characteristics like the difference in shade, appearance of knots, wormholes, or other natural flaws. The wood grade with minimum flaws costs more than other wood grades.

3. Procure the material yourself.

Material cost plays a significant part in hardwood flooring. Hence, procuring the material yourself can save you a lot of money.

You need to contact several suppliers to get quotes from them. However, price should not be the only deciding criteria. The quality of wood is equally important. Also, you need to get the matching moldings for the flooring.

Many installation contractors do not work with material from other suppliers. This can impact the quality of installation. Hence it is crucial to have a prior conversation with your installer.

4. Cut down cost on the installation of hardwood floor.

The installation of a hardwood floor can be a significant expense. Depending on the type of flooring system you chose, you can eliminate the labor cost by installing it yourself.

However, if you do not have prior experience and are not feeling comfortable enough, it is better to leave the work to professionals.

Get quotes from different installers. Also, enquire about the discount they are willing to offer if you procure the material from them. Again, it is important to note that price should not be the sole factor of consideration. When it comes to professional skills, you get what you pay for.

5. Postpone the installation in some section of your house.

If you have a limited budget, it is better to postpone flooring some sections of your house. When it comes to hardwood flooring, quality plays an essential part in its longevity. Hence, you should defer the work in some areas rather than using low-quality flooring for the entire house.