Fall Home Checklist

September 27, 2017

As leaves start to fall and the air gets cooler, taking the time to give your home a good yearly inspection can help prevent emergencies during the dead of winter or unexpected costly repairs. Here are some steps to make sure your home is Fall ready. 1. Clean Gutters & Direct Drainage Once the trees are done shedding, you now have the fun task of inspecting and removing all the leaves, twigs, and gunk from the gutters. Make sure your gutters aren’t sagging or trapping water, which can cause ice dams when the water freezes. Ice dams can cause big damage to both your roof… Read more »

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

June 21, 2017

While today might be the official first day of Summer, it certainly doesn’t feel like it!  Currently, the West is feeling the bulk of the heat, with sidewalks and roads cracking in Northern California, horses refusing to drink the hot water in Southern California, and flights being cancelled in Phoenix, Arizona.  While New Jersey isn’t breaking any all-time heat records like the West Coast is approaching, the temperatures are still pretty hot for this early in the Summer.  So with temperatures in the high 80’s and 90’s, setting your thermostat to the optimal settings is crucial for keeping your family comfortable while keeping your electricity bills from… Read more »

Essential Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Have

April 26, 2017

Whether you want to save some money on plumbing costs or learn more about DIY maintenance, having essential plumbing tools is something every homeowner should make the investment in.  Hiring a plumber for simple repairs and maintenance can be costly and can take a while depending on the plumber’s availability. Obviously, any major plumbing emergencies or renovations is going to require a licensed and insured plumber.  Minor plumbing issues such as clogs, leaks, and drips is something every homeowner will have to deal with at some point.  We put together a short list of recommended essential DIY plumbing tools that will come in handy and will not break… Read more »

DIY vs Hiring A Professional Plumber in NJ

March 10, 2017

It makes a lot of sense for homeowners to become familiar and comfortable with making minor household repairs for both financial and timely reasons. There are many tools and resources for learning common plumbing maintenance and fixes, such as the DIY Network and The Family Handyman.  Having the right tools and knowledge for  simple plumbing jobs can be convenient to your family and your schedule. When hiring a professional plumber, you will have to schedule a time that works with their availability, which is often during working hours. Performing simple plumbing maintenance can help prevent larger repairs down the road.  The key is having a good… Read more »

Preparing Your Home For High Energy Costs

February 20, 2017

While we may be in the dead of winter, the warm temperatures we are experiencing may be a forewarning for what will most likely be the hottest summer ever in North America. Last summer was the hottest summer on record, according to NASA. Summer is months away, so why should you be concerned now? According to homeadvisors.com, homeowners can expect to pay between $500 – $4000 for a central air conditioning system. The large range is due to variables such as the type of unit, additional materials needed, and the contractor’s rate. While window units are much cheaper in the short run, they only cool small… Read more »

Thinking About Purchasing A Home?

January 5, 2017

Thinking about purchasing a new home in the new year? Here are a few plumbing inspection tips to ensure the property’s plumbing and drainage is in working order to avoid costly surprises. If possible, make a trip or two to the property after a heavy or consistent rainfall. If there are drainage or plumbing problems, these might be easier to notice under rainy conditions. Here is a handy checklist for what to keep an eye on. Flooded Yards  If the front or back yard has large flooded areas, there could be issues with the drainage of the home. Flooding is even more common If the home is on… Read more »