Monthly Archives: October 2011

Fall & Winter Home Maintenance Tips

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I recently posted an article about how to inspect your roof for the Fall. In that article I touched on a few tips to keep in mind when examining how your roof is holding up. In this article I’d like to bring up some basic tips Fall maintenance.

It’s probably too late for people on the East Coast and Mid West follow these tips and provide time for adequate repairs, because many have seen snow already and temperatures are likely to fall about 30 degrees in the next month. For those of you in San Diego, there’s no need to panic! While Winter is cooler, it is fairly mind, and late October is a perfect time to examine your house.

1) Examine your roof/ gutters/ downspouts for debris: It’s very important to keep your gutters and downspout clear of all debris, including pine needles, leaves and dirt. Pay close attention if you have trees surrounding your house. Also check the flashing around your chimney, as well as skylights, to make sure there are no leaves built up and no leaks.

2) Change your filters: If you have central AC, remember to change the filter regularly. Check your stove vents and clothes dryer vents as well. Cleaning your vents will help keep your family healthier in the Fall and Winter, when people are more likely to get sick.

3) Prepare your fireplace: Remember to always discard old ashes and make sure the damper is open when using the chimney, so that air can move freely through the chimney. Make sure the damper is working properly by checking the handle and springs to see if it opens and closes properly. When not in use, close the damper to keep cold air out. Also, consider a chimney cleaning every few years, if not more frequently based on your use.

4) Examine your hot water heater: If the area you live has hard water then it’s likely that there’s sediment building up in your hot water tank. Consider draining your hot water tank and making sure that there is no rust build up. If there is rust, consider buying a new hot water heater that is more cost effective and energy efficient.

5) Check windows & doors for drafts: Start by investigating around all windows to make sure that the seal and caulking around the window frames are in good condition. Check the front, back and side doors to see if air is getting in underneath. There are cheap, temporary fixes such as rubber draft stoppers and even bean bag blockers that can easily be pushed away when you need to leave the house. Another temporary fix is to add heavy drapery around a particularly drafty window.

6) Store seasonal outdoor furniture: In San Diego, you’re in a different boat than the rest of the country with this tip. That being said, outdoor furniture can still deteriorate even in the mild Winters. Rain can do a lot of damage to furniture, so consider either investing in a cover for your furniture or finding a cool, dry place to store it when the rain picks up.

I left off several other tips, but they’re aimed at folks who own homes where it snows. Make sure to always inspect you home in the late Summer or Fall, regardless of the temperature. Making it a habit will help you spot issues early on, and give you time to fix any potential problems.

If you have any questions about home maintenance tips, or you’d like to learn more about San Diego home remodeling, then contact Greyhound General at 800-568-7108.

Living Room Remodeling

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One of the seldom discussed home remodeling jobs is the living room remodel. We spend so much time upgrading our kitchens and remodeling our bathrooms that we overlook one of the main areas where family and friends gather. Often times the living room is the biggest room in the house. The living room is sometimes considered the formal “sitting” room, with the family room being the main place to sit and watch TV and congregate.

Whether you call it a living room, family room, den or rumpus room it’s a very important part of your home. Upgrading your living room doesn’t need to cost you tens of thousands of dollars. There are many elements to the living room that can be upgraded on a much smaller scale, without the work of a general contractor.

In most cases you’ll want to at least consult a general contractor about your ideas. Expanding your room, knocking down a wall, and adding new flooring & walls are just a few of the things that most homeowners need a general contractor to do.

If you’re looking to spruce up the focal point of your home, here are a few things to focus on before you make any decisions:

1) What’s going in your living room: Obviously there will be furniture, but do you really like the furniture? Even if you do, does it go with your overall vision of the room? Get rid of all items that clutter the room as you’ll want to start with the basics to see if additional or replacement pieces of furniture are needed.

2) Assess the floor, ceiling and walls: Do you currently have carpet, but would prefer hardwood? Are the walls and ceiling the right colors? Are the light fixtures the right style? These are things you’ll have to ask yourself. You can even throw some paint test patches up to see if a color sample translates well onto the wall.

3) Check online for living room styles that you like: the Internet has a plethora of home design ideas. I recommend you do your research online to see how others are improving their living room. Sites such as hgtv.com (Home & Garden TV) have tons of ideas, tips and photos.

4) Select a focal point for the room: The focal point can be an object, such as a large painting, or it can simply be a wall or patterned fabric. Whatever your focal point is, other items in the room should compliment it and reinforce the color palette.

5) Consult a general contractor: You don’t necessarily need to get to step 5 to contact a general contractor, but it helps to have an idea or vision for your living room first. Of course, you don’t necessarily need a contractor to improve your living room look. Sure, you can paint the room on your own,  but if you’re planning to replace flooring, wall or ceiling fixtures, expand the room, or install a stereo or electrical outlets then it is a good idea to contract a home remodeling contractor.

6) Final steps: Once the remodeling work is complete, you’ll then want to paint and add in the new flooring. This is also a good time to change any light fixtures. Once the painting is complete the crown molding comes next. One tip for crown molding is to match it to existing trim, or simply paint it white to match the ceiling.

7) Add in accessories: Time to finish up the job by putting up all decorative pieces, including artwork and window treatments. Set up the TV and surround sound (if you have one), and remember to choose a nice entertainment center to hide wires. Also, it’s not a bad idea to place some items, such as board games, blankets, and other miscellaneous items in a trunk, so they don’t clutter up the room.

If you’re looking for an experienced San Diego living room remodeling contractor then look no further than Greyhound General. To learn more about how we can help with your next remodeling project contact us today, or simply call us at 800-568-7108.