Who Let the Steam Out

With the cooler weather, hot showers and baths seem to last a little longer. Don't let the moisture collect on your walls and ceiling.

Your bathroom fan is one of the most important items in your home. Not only does it remove odors, but it removes moisture. Moisture is the top cause of mold, mildew and drywall damage. If left unchecked, it can create all kinds of problems not only with a healthy home environment, but with the structural integrity of the home.

It is important that your fans are working correctly and that they exhaust to the outdoors. I have seen many fans that are vented into the attic or crawl space under the home. This creates moisture issues in these areas that will rapidly create issues of rotted wood and the formation of mold.

How do you know there may be something wrong with your fans? Signs to look and listen for include: slow start up of fan motor, a scraping or grinding sound, fan not starting at all. Most of these mean the fan needs to be replaced.

A simple test to check if your fan is working is to place a piece of tissue against the fans grill. When the fan is running the paper should stay put against the grill due to the fans suction.

Yellow Van Handyman can repair and rebuild older units and install new units.

Let Yellow VAN Handyman come in and check your exhaust fans to make sure they are working properly and vented correctly.

Check your homes plumbing

Check Out Your Home Plumbing System

This was taken from an insurance companies newsletter. It is word to the wise.

 

Plumbing problems can lead to sky-high water bills—not to mention major structural damage to your home. A small leak could waste tens of thousands of gallons of water each year and result in much larger headaches. Use these tips to help make regular DIY plumbing inspections all around your house.

I recently helped a homeowner with a major water leak that was costing them hundreds of dollars a month. Don't let this happen to you. Call Yellow VAN Handyman if you suspect a problem.

 

Inspect your pipes

Look for signs of dripping and corrosion in exposed pipes, such as supply lines for toilets and sinks, as well as lines leading to appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerator ice makers, and washing machines. Leaking fixtures may need replacement parts, such as a new O-ring or cartridge for a dripping faucet or a flapper for a leaky toilet.

Sneak up on leaks

Even if you don’t see dripping, you may still have a problem. Wall or cabinet stains, rusty water, cracked or warped flooring and a musty smell are all indicators of plumbing issues.

Focus on faulty plumbing

Shutoff valves and copper and brass fittings are the first places corrosion occurs. The likelihood of corrosion is greater if the metals are mismatched, as when galvanized pipes connect directly to copper lines. This should be repaired immediately. But if the pipes are corroded or rusted, have them replaced.

Monitor your meter

Water meters are great leakage detectors. Note the current level of water usage on your meter, and then suspend all water usage for 30 minutes, making sure all water-using appliances are turned off. Recheck the meter. If the triangular leak indicator is spinning or the dial hand has moved or the number has increased, you probably have a leak.

Remodeling Projects That May Pay Off

The following provided by State Farm Insurance

4 Remodeling Projects That May Pay Off

If you’re planning to remodel a home office and hoping to recoup your investment when you sell your home, you could be disappointed. According to the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2011-2012 from Remodeling magazine you'll recover slightly less than 43 percent of your money for this project. But upgrade your exterior with fiber-cement siding and you might see a return of 78 percent in terms of increased home value. 

Yellow VAN Handyman can help with all your remodeling and updating needs.

For many homeowners, how an improvement affects a home's resale value is a critical factor in deciding whether the project goes forward. Here are four investments that paid off from this year's report:

Replacement projects: On average, replacing things like flooring, countertops, fixtures and cabinets returns 64 percent of the project costs upon sale, compared to large scale remodeling jobs, which return 57 percent. Replacements typically cost less and are appealing to buyers because they are important indicators of home maintenance.

New siding, windows and doors: These projects enhance curb appeal and have some of the biggest payoffs when you sell.

Remodeled attic space: Creating a bedroom in a previously unused area pays a 72.5 percent return on the investment, largely because the project adds living space without expanding a home's footprint.

Kitchen facelifts: These minor remodeling projects often include new cabinet doors, hardware, countertops and appliances—and typically return more than 72 percent of the investment.

One add-on that doesn't pay off well is a sunroom addition. While a pleasant sunroom may be your family's favorite relaxation spot, this project typically returns less than 46 percent of your investment.

In addition to payback rates, the report cites other considerations for homeowners who are planning a home improvement. For example, recognize that adding a room may provide you with more space but may result in increased household heating and cooling bills. Enlarging a bathroom at the expense of a bedroom may make perfect sense for your family, but be seen as a lost room by a buyer. Elaborate remodeling projects that are out of sync with the value of the surrounding homes may also be a negative in the eyes of potential buyers.