Let’s face it, remodeling a home is one of the most stressful things you can do, and kitchen remodeling -forget about it. Fixing busted floor ties, replacing cabinets and installing a new sink can end up making you want to rip your hair out. Why go through all this when you could call a kitchen contractor and receive a free estimate? Handyman Connection in Florida offers a variety of kitchen contractor services that can morph your stressful project into an easy task.

If flooring repair is what your kitchen is really in need of, there are unlimited designs and styles to choose from. Anything from ceramic tile to sleek bamboo, Handyman Connection of Florida’s kitchen contractors can offer you a variety of flooring solutions for your flooring repair needs. Not only can we offer options, but we can give expert tips and ideas to help create the perfect flooring that you’ve always wanted.

Not only can our licensed kitchen contractors help install flooring and other construction jobs, they are experienced with design skills and can help create the kitchen space of your dreams. They can design and install an island or replace your countertops with precision. Our kitchen contractors can help guide you through your design process allowing you to trust in knowing that you both have the same vision in mind.

Handyman Connection of Florida also offers a service guarantee. We guarantee that if any defects occur within one year of our service as a direct result from workmanship, we will cover the costs. So if you are worried about poor installation and the repercussions of that, then ease your mind knowing that the job will get done efficiently and effectively.

If you would like more information or to consult with a kitchen contractor with any concerns or remodeling questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Contact us for more information on helping design the kitchen you have always dreamed about.

The plumbing in your home does a thankless job. It constantly brings water in, disperses it properly, and then removes it from your house. It generally does such a good job that we take clean water to drink or bathe with for granted–until there is an issue with the plumbing, that is. To keep your pipes in tip-top shape, or at least to have some type of warning before a plumbing issue becomes a serious problem, it is important to keep up with some maintenance.

Take some time to inspect your plumbing and do a little work. You should at least invest an afternoon annually, but doing it more often will definitely not hurt. Take these tips to clean out pipes and inspect for problems.

• Leaks- You can hear a leaky faucet, but when it comes to pipes the leak might not be obvious. Walk around the areas of your home where you know you have pipes in the walls or ceiling. Look for discolored spots or other signs of water damage. Usually the leak is at the spot of the discoloration, but water may be traveling down the pipe before finally dripping off. Catching a leak early can save you from replacing portions of walls or ceiling when you replace the pipe. If any pipe is exposed, look for green tarnish around joints and sealed portions. If there is a green substance, it is likely that the seal you are looking at is not tight enough.
• Hot water heater- Think about life without a hot shower. Now take the time to go drain your hot water heater. As sediment makes its way into your heater, it collects in the tank. Draining the tank will remove corrosive sediment and keep it from clogging up your hot water heater. It will also mean that the water you use to shower with does not pass through a sediment-filled reservoir before you use it bathe. When you are done draining the hot water heater, follow the instruction manual and restart it. Look into the burner chamber that displays a flame. The flame should be entirely blue; if you see yellow or orange you might need to have the valves that feed the flame cleaned out.
• Drain exterior faucets- You don’t need water to set idly in your plumbing. Turn of the water feed to the faucets on the outside of your home and then go turn each one on and allow it to drain. This will remove sediment and keep standing water from growing mildew and/or leading to corroded pipes that will leak.
• Drains- A well working drain turns standing water into a swirling display that quickly and effectively removes spent water. If your drains are slow to remove water or if bubbles are coming back up from your drain you have an issue. You can try plunging, chemical drain cleaning products or you can purchase an inexpensive disposable device that you insert into a drain to clear any debris at your local hardware store. If none of these fix the clogged drain the problem could lie deeper than you are ready to handle and you should call a professional.
• Toilets- Toilets play an important role from a plumbing and a sanitation perspective, so they must stay in good shape. Make sure that they do not rock back and force when you push them. If they do, they need to be anchored; a moving toilet can lead to leaky or broken pipes. Also take off the top and make sure that interior parts are in working order. The plug should fit snugly in the drain at the base of the toilet and should not leak. Otherwise the interior of your toilet could have one of several basic kits. So long as the toilet is not “running” and fills and drains efficiently when flushed, you should be in the clear.

Preventative plumbing maintenance is necessary. It can save you headaches and reduce repair bills even if they are necessary. If your inspection turns up some leaky pipes then you should consider professional help. Feel free to visit us online, we have replaced toilets from Bradenton to Orlando and helped with many other plumbing problems.

Sources:

Do It Yourself.com

Good Services Plumbing and Heating

All Bay Home Inspection

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We have made mention recently that the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University is predicting 2011 to be a big year for home renovations. The economy is on a slow but steady uptick, and the post-recession mentality has sobered us all up a bit. Instead of moving to another house we have decided that improving the one that we are in is a more feasible option. It is a logical move, especially in areas like Naples where housing prices tend to be a bit high.

This new state of mind is a good thing; it means we have a better grip on our finances and a more realistic view of how to use them. Taking into account that we are making better financial decisions, perhaps we should be considering home remodeling projects that can not only make us happier in our houses, but will have an economic impact as well.

Go Green

Energy in general is a big issue for everyone today. You can do your part to help the environment while making an investment in your home that will pay for itself in the long run. With some simple additions you can make improvements to your home that will save you money down the road.

• New thermostat- Air conditioning and heating are the biggest energy hogs in your house. A modern thermostat can help you maintain a more exact temperature. It can also be programmed to use less energy while you are not at home. Keeping the house a little cooler in the winter and warmer in summer will save you a lot over the year. You can do this by programming your thermostat to change the temperature while you are gone all day. You won’t have to remember to reset it during your morning rush; a modern thermostat will do it for you.
• Insulation- Insulation can be put in walls and in your attic. It keeps your house at a set temperature longer, by helping to block the temperature outside. Over time insulation wears thin and needs to be updated. A quick update can cut your utility bills down immediately.
• Weather stripping- Any opening in your house can let hot or cold air in. This means that doors and windows deserve special attention. The edges of these openings need to have an insulating material, called weather stripping, applied to all of their borders. Simply putting up weather stripping will have an immediate impact on your electric bill and will also be noticeable right away when you walk by a previously drafty door or window.

All of these improvements can have another financial effect. They will all take some of the workload off of your air conditioning unit, meaning that you will have to pay for fewer repairs and will experience a longer life for the unit.

Foodies’ Favorite Remodels

Kitchen remodels are increasingly popular projects. They can instantly add value to a home and will make it more desirable when you do eventually move to sell it. The National Association of Home Builders reports that a kitchen remodel adds more value to your home than any other project. For this reason, a kitchen remodel can be a good monetary move, as well as one that will make your house more functional.

• Cabinets and counters- These are arguably the biggest decision you have to make in your kitchen remodel. They will be the most expensive part and will dictate the overall look of your kitchen for years to come. Make sure to pick out cabinets that fit your budget without going too cheap. If you save a few dollars now, you will probably wish you had spent a bit more later. In the spirit of spending on these materials, make sure to choose countertops that are durable. You don’t have to go as far as marble if that is out of your budget, but remember that cheaper materials might mean having to pay to fix a countertop down the road after several years of basic use.
• Appliances- This is another area that can carry a hefty price tag. If you are happy with the look and the functionality of your current appliances you might want to keep them for a bit to get your money’s worth. If not, then do some comparison shopping. Pick out the appliances that meet your needs without going too far out of the box. If you have a three-bedroom house, you probably don’t need the largest capacity units available. Also, stainless steel looks clean–and is far easier to clean, but you can save a few bucks if you bypass it in favor of another finish. Mechanically the appliances from the same series are exactly the same; you are paying a premium for stainless steel plates to be bolted onto the front of the units.
• Flooring- Think durable, easy to clean, and neutral. Flooring should be able to stand up to the heavy traffic a kitchen endures. We suggest tile but do keep your personal tastes in mind, as they may differ from ours. (Obviously carpet is a horrible option here.) You also want something that can easily be wiped up and cleaned, so go for a darker color grout if you choose tile. When it comes to color, the floor needs to match the cabinets, but avoid going for a color that is too vibrant. Part of the value of a kitchen remodel is to appeal to future buyers, so don’t turn them off; you might love fuchsia but that doesn’t mean other people will.

Sources:

Joint Center for Housing Studies

Let’s Renovate

Remodeling My Space

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