Tom's Home Tips

The Honey Do Service, Inc. Blog

Monthly Archives: October 2013

When is it time to replace your windows?

Changes in temperature and humidity and normal wear from use can cause window seals to crack and shrink. There comes a point when it’s a better investment to replace the windows rather than throw on another layer of caulk, especially if you’re a qualifying homeowner who meets the criteria for an energy tax credit.

Here are some signs it’s time to replace your windows:

It’s difficult to open or shut your windows.

This one is pretty obvious. If you can’t close your windows properly, it’s time to replace them. Besides being a safety concern, air escapes through windows which aren’t completely closed.

There’s fog or white film between panes of glass.

Condensation on the inside of double or triple-paned windows can indicate seal failure. When the seal fails, moisture is able to enter the space between the panes of glass. This means that air from the outside is getting through as well and your windows are no longer as insulated as they should be.

You feel drafts in your house.

Noticeable air drafts often indicate an air leak caused by more than missing or damaged weather stripping, so sealing and weather stripping shouldn’t be considered as anything more than a band-aid. When the sealants expand and contract again, it’ll only lead to more gaps.

Your energy bills are too high.

If you feel you’re heating and cooling your home efficiently but are experiencing high energy costs, it’s likely that your windows are not energy efficient. The Department of Energy’s website says “If your home has very old and/or inefficient windows, it might be more cost-effective to replace them than to try to improve their energy efficiency. New, energy-efficient windows eventually pay for themselves through lower heating and cooling costs, and sometimes even lighting costs.”

For more information on how The Honey Do Service, Inc. can help you with window replacement, visit our website: www.honeydoservice.net

Pros & Cons of Gutter Guards

Gutters are an integral part of your home and its functionality.  With regular maintenance, modern gutter systems can protect your home for many years.  Some homeowners install gutter guards in an attempt to cut down on cleanings and extend the life of their gutters.

Opinions are mixed regarding their effectiveness and whether they are worth the investment.  At best, gutter guards can reduce the number of necessary cleanings but in the worst scenarios, they can create new problems for the homeowner.  When you schedule your gutters to be cleaned by the Honey Do Service, Inc., one of our experienced craftsmen can evaluate your gutters and determine if gutter guards are a good choice for your home.

Gutter guards are designed to keep debris out of the gutters while still allowing water to flow freely.  Three general types of gutter guards are: screens, inserts and reverse curves. Screens are generally a metal mesh that hinges or sits atop of the gutters to block larger debris from entering the gutter.  Inserts are a way of filling the gutter with a porous material (often foam) that allows water to flow through it but blocks solid debris.  Reverse curves utilize a convex curve that directs water into a channel and forces larger debris to fall off of the gutter structure.

Inserts are generally the easiest to install with screens being more difficult and reverse curves being the most labor-intensive to install.  The Honey Do Service, Inc. is familiar with all types of gutter guards and our professional craftsmen can install the right system for your home.

No gutter guard can replace regular cleanings and maintenance of your gutters, but they can reduce the frequency.  Without regular maintenance, screens can allow larger debris to accumulate and cause problems.  Inserts often allow smaller debris to accumulate inside the gutter which requires removal.  Reverse curves can prove problematic in heavy rains because they can only channel a set amount of water in a given time – the rest could end up pouring over the edge and into your lawn.  If you already own gutter guards, be sure to schedule an inspection/cleaning with your local Honey Do Service, Inc. today!