Announcement!

We would like to congratulate Kelli Aaron of Magnolia, TX as the first winner of our monthly contest to give away 3 free hours of labor.


To enter, simply navigate to our main website at www.HandymanMatters.com, click the link at the top right corner of the page and fill out the entry form located there. Winners will be chosen at the end of each month from the contestants who entered during that month and will be notified on the first of the new month. A list of past winners will be posted on our site, updated monthly.


If you have any questions about this or any home repair needs, call us at (281) 358-6666.

Find, Fix and Forget - Simple Steps to Weatherize Your Home This Winter

The weather outside is about to get frigid and frightful, but inside, many homeowners can still enjoy the comfort and coziness of warmth ... if they don't have to worry about cold air drafts and leaks causing the temperature inside to plummet like the climate outside.

Luckily, for many homeowners, problem areas where cold air is sneaking in - and warm air may be escaping - can easily be found, fixed and then forgotten. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the annual energy bill for a typical single family home is about $2,200. By properly sealing and insulating your home, you can save up to 10 percent on home energy costs. And, you don't need a permanent - and more expensive - draft-blocking solution, such as installing new windows, adding more insulation or replacing old doors with insulated versions, to stay warm and reap the financial rewards.

Handyman Matters has compiled a few simple steps to keep the warm air - and cost savings - in your home this winter:

• Find. Perform a home energy audit to determine where you might have some issues. Handyman Matters can take care of this for you very quickly and make appropriate recommendations for your home. If you would like to do a quick one yourself here are some steps to consider:
  • To start, make a list of potential problem areas, including windows and doors, as well as places where pipes, electrical outlets, vents and mail slots are located.
  • To complete the audit, make sure all doors, windows and fireplace chutes are closed, shut off all combustion appliances, and turn on exhaust fans (in the kitchen and bathrooms, if you have them). Then, take a lit incense stick or candle and hold it in front of the areas you listed as possible problem sources - leaks and drafts will cause the smoke or flame to flow in the direction of the air leak. Be sure to keep track of any areas in need of sealing.
  • You can also shine a flashlight around doors and windows to look for gaps and cracks - if you see light shining through, you've likely found an area in need of fixing.
• Fix. Once you've determined the areas that need attention, look for DIY weatherization products that can help. Many cost-effective, easy-to-install solutions are on the market today, with many formulated for specific problem areas. If you’re not interested in DIYing the project, call Handyman Matters to help.
  • For leaks around pipes, electrical outlets, vents or mail slots, consider caulk or other specialized products, like foam seals, to block the drafts.
  • Drafts around windows can be fixed with a window insulation kit, typically a clear plastic film that can be placed on the inside or outside of the window to create a draft-proof seal that can easily be removed when the cold air clears out.
  • Additionally, many window and door seals can be applied quickly and easily, but don't forget about the bottom, where cold air might be creeping in.
  • For leaks under doors and windows, look for a solution that will "hug" the bottom to create an airtight barrier. The Double Draft Seal from Duck brand offers two layers of protection from drafts, sealing underneath doors and windows from both sides, for maximum energy efficiency and thermal protection.
• Don't Forget. Take the time to fix the problem areas now and you'll forget you had any air leaks and drafts by the time the weather turns frigid and frightful.

For DIYers, it's as simple as taking the time to find the cold air sources, choosing the right products to block the drafts and installing them properly.

The fall offers many perfect opportunities to get DIY weatherization done. And, many of these projects can be completed in a weekend and then forgotten throughout the cold winter months - all without breaking the bank. For more information and tips to winterize your home contact your Handyman Matters location; simply click here to find a location near you or call (281) 358-6666, today.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston now offers a monthly contest

Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston, located in Kingwood, TX, a suburb of Houston, is now conducting a monthly drawing to give away 3 free hours of labor for North Houston area homeowners and businesses. The purpose of the contest is to give back to the community where we live and work and to hopefully help someone who truly needs it around their home or office. 

Bob Mabry, President and CEO of Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston, states: "We are proud of the fact that we have been serving the homeowners and business owners of the north side of Houston for nearly 7 years. Our average customer project is around 3 hours, so we are going to be able to help someone every month make some meaningful repairs or upgrades to their home or office."  


In order to participate in the monthly contest, participants should navigate to www.handymanmatters.com where they will find a link to the contest entry form at the top right of the page. The first winner of the contest will be announced November 1, 2010, and on the 1st of each subsequent month.


Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston is part of the national franchise organization Handyman Matters. Handyman Matters has been in business since 1998 with locations across the United States, in Canada and Ireland. Visit Handyman Matters Kingwood / N. Houston on the web at www.handymanmatters.com or their blog here.


UPDATE: After holding this contest for several months, interest in participating has waned to the point that we will no longer be offering this contest.

Fall: The Ideal Season to Give Your Guest Bath a Makeover

The shorter days and cooler nights that fall brings mean that the entertaining you had been doing on porches, patios and decks is slowly beginning to wane. Soon, family and friends will gather inside the home for holiday festivities, putting the spotlight back on some of the most-used rooms, one of which is the guest bath.

For most people, overnight house guests go hand-in-hand with the holidays. Rather than waiting until the last minute, when stress levels are already high, fall is the ideal time to begin preparing for company and refresh the guest bath. You can do a few simple things long before anyone arrives to ensure their stay is a comfortable one. In fact, updating a tired bathroom can be an easy goal to achieve on any budget. You don't need tens of thousands of dollars. Instead, a little paint, the proper tools, a few decorating elements and some creativity will do the trick. Handyman Matters can help with all of your interior projects in order to get your home ready for the busy family season.

Color: light and inviting

Changing the color of a room with interior paint is the easiest, most cost-effective and most dramatic transformation that can be made. Since a guest bathroom can be one of the smaller rooms in a home, use colors that are light and airy. This will open up the space, making it appear larger than it really is. And, even if the guest bath is used by other family members during the rest of the year, remember that it should feel welcoming, so avoid stark whites or overly bright and trendy colors.

Fine-tune fixtures

If you're considering replacing an old scratched sink, many acrylic options can be purchased at home centers for less than $100. While you're at it, don't forget to update the faucet as well. Today, faucets come in a variety of finishes like brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze, allowing you to easily freshen up the appearance of your bathroom. Many fixtures are available with matching accessories like towel rings, bars and even robe hooks. Using a consistent fixture finish throughout the room will give the space a streamlined, uncluttered feeling and will help create a serene place for your guests to relax during their stay. The professional craftsmen at Handyman Matters can make sure these projects are done for you making your bathroom ready to use while looking fabulous.

Hardware

Dated cabinet hardware can easily be brought back to life with a coat of primer and paint. If you're willing to use a little elbow grease and purchase an inexpensive can of spray paint, you can transform any dingy handle or knob. You don't have to stick to traditional paint color choices, either. There are a variety of metallic spray paints available such as chrome, copper, brass and satin nickel that mimic the look of these expensive finishes that you can coordinate with your other accessories and fixtures.

Details

With any room refresh, the difference is in the details, especially in a small space like the guest bath. Pick up some new linens before your visitors come to town - new bath and hand towels that are plush and soft, not faded or worn, can really make the room feel inviting. For an added touch, hang a new shower curtain and liner to coordinate with your new color scheme. Keep it a lighter color to allow natural or overhead light to filter through; you don't want your guests showering in the dark. Stock up on all of the essentials. From toiletries to a comfy robe, it's always a great idea to keep supplies on hand in case your guests need something.

By taking the necessary steps to prep your guest bath before the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you'll be able to relax and enjoy it right along with your visitors. Call Handyman Matters today to turn your bathroom from drab to fab – click here to find a location near you or call our local office at (281)358-6666.

Courtesy of ARAcontent