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Category Archives: Home safety

Categories Home Maintenance, Home safety

Are You Ready for Summer Evenings? 8 Ways to Keep Outdoor Lighting Safe

‘Tis the season…for entertaining outdoors! Whether you’re looking to have a few friends over late into the night, or to whip up a late sunset BBQ, you’ll surely need good outdoor lighting.

Any great yard space is sure to have a few features for water, or even a fire pit. But most commonly, light features are what you’ll find in a backyard for flawless entertaining. Whether it’s a few security spotlights or a beautiful set of string lights, they all pose a risk if not properly maintained.

If you want to add ambiance to your home, you can definitely invest in some outdoor lighting features. And if you want to make sure your space is safe year round, keep these tips in mind.

Ensure Your Yard Is Free from Danger

1. Choose the right bulb

LEDs are generally the best choice, because they don’t attract bugs like old-school incandescent bulbs.

But they don’t always fit old hardware. If you’re installing LED lights, be sure you are getting the right hardware to support them. Additionally, you should only be using bulbs that are rated for outdoor use.

 

2. Avoid overloading

Most fixtures will have a notice of their maximum wattage capacity, so be sure to follow this rule. If the fixture comes with a sticker that says “Max wattage: 75W”, don’t go over 75W, as doing so could lead to the wiring overheating.

 

3. Make some room

Keep all lighting out of reach of flammable materials. Light bulbs can get very hot, so take precaution when organizing your space.

 

4. Waterproof receptacles

Don’t let your switches or fixtures fall victim to harsh weather. Buying the correct waterproof receptacles can prevent damage and corrosion.

 

5. Clean wisely

Whenever you get around to cleaning the bulbs, you should first make sure they’re off, and then use the correct cleaners. Cleaners full of chemicals can strip special finishes right off of metal lamps.

 

6. Use the right extension cord

Just as you should only use bulbs rated for outdoor use, you should only use extension cords rated for outdoor use. Also, keep in mind that these are for temporary lighting, not year round.

 

7. Install GFCI

That’s short for “Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter”, and this will give you an extra layer of protection when working around electricity.

 

8. Make a plan

The safest and surest way to avoid any disasters is to make a solid plan before attempting any work with outdoor lighting.

Plan exactly what materials you’ll use, where they’ll be placed, how and when they’ll be tended to, and map out where all the wiring will go.

 

Something as simple and fun as making your home beautiful shouldn’t put you, your loved ones, or your home in danger. With a little planning, precaution, and regular upkeep, you can have a safe experience with outdoor lighting.

 

If you’re concerned that your backyard or other areas of your home may be in danger, don’t worry! Let the pros handle it by scheduling an inspection today.

Fill out this form here and we’ll be out in 48 hours or less to give you the peace of mind you deserve!

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Energy Savings, Home Maintenance, Home safety

4 Ways to Tell Your Windows Need to Be Replaced

We replace our windows for many reasons.

For example, do you have little ones running around the home?

Then you may, unfortunately, have been witness to the sound of shattering glass on more than one occasion.

Visibly broken glass is a surefire way to tell you should be replacing a window or two. But there are plenty of other signs your windows may need repair that are much harder to notice.

 

Why Does It Matter?

Our windows are an important part of our home and hold various functions.

They offer curb appeal, bring in natural light, and can even affect energy efficiency. So being able to recognize when windows need to be replaced is quite important.

 

How Can You Tell?

We’ve established that broken glass is a pretty obvious sign of window repair. But we’ll go through some of the more difficult problems to detect.

1. High Energy Bills

 

Can you walk around your home in a t-shirt on a cold day or does it feel drafty? If your windows aren’t doing their job, hot or cool air (depending on the season) may be escaping. You might as well toss your wallet out of a moving car if that’s the case.

If you’re not sure, test it out by holding a lit candle near a window and move it around the edges — does the flame flicker? If so, air is likely coming in from the outside, and the air temp you want in you home is going out.

 

2. Difficulty Opening

There are tons of reasons why you may not be able to open the window anymore.

Maybe it was painted over, it is a warped frame, or even problems stemming from the foundation.

Whatever the case is, this isn’t good for you. Not only is it poor functioning, it’s dangerous. In the case of an emergency (e.g. fire), you’ll want access to an escape route.

 

3. Rotting Frames

A decaying window frame is one of the most obvious signs for needing replacement.

Wooden frames that are exposed to the elements will eventually warp over time.

Possible mold and moisture intrusion may even lead to more serious decay issues down the road. The frames may be leaking due to poor installation, a failed sealed unit, or just time.

 

4. Lack of Noise Control

Do you feel like your neighbors talking outside are just in the other room?

Can you hear a car coming from down the road?

If you can hear outside noise clearly, your windows aren’t doing a great job. A great window will absorb sound waves, preventing them from ever making it into your house.

Reducing the transfer of sound can drastically improve your quality of life. And if you are a light sleeper or have babies, this will be a huge plus!

 

There are various reasons why people put off replacing their windows. It can be a large investment, but when looking at the big picture, it can save you from the money pit down the line.

If you’re worried your home may be suffering from window issues or other problems, let us have a look! Members of our professional team can be out in 48 hours or less.

Schedule your inspection here!

We Can Help

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home Maintenance, Home safety

Protect Your Home From Spring Storms

Unpredictable and often crazy spring (or summer) weather is nothing new to many Texans. In fact, it’s just part of living in Texas. However, no matter how ready you are for those heavy spring showers, hailstorms, or even tornado season, there are always things you can do to prepare your home.

We’re going to walk you through some simple steps that could go a long way in protecting your home from wind, hail, and water damage in the coming months.

 

Preventative Measures to Save You from Considerable Damages Later

 

Gutters and downspouts

Make sure they are completely debris free and not suffering from any cracks, dents, or typical wear and tear.

 

 

Look for existing roof issues

Have a look and see if there are any missing shingles or possible leaks. Go ahead and use this time to secure any loose siding as well. All of these are potential weak links in the home when it comes to storm damage.

 

 

Maintain trees and shrubbery

Noticed any dead or rotting branches?

Prune them to avoid any damage during a storm or high winds. Additionally, you should practice trimming branches away from your home to protect your roof and deter animals from occupying the area.

 

 

Fresh paint

A new coat of paint on the outside of your home can help protect your wood against the elements. Without the fresh paint, it’s possible that moisture intrusion will occur.

It will not only ruin your wood, but also paving the way for a serious mold problem.

 

 

Seal windows and doors

It’s normal for caulking to fall victim to normal wear and tear. So make sure they are sealed and all holes where pipes or wires enter your home are also properly sealed.

Pro-tip: Consider installing storm shutters for extra protection (and may even land you a discount on your insurance).

 

Check your sump pump

It’s a good idea to make sure your sump pump is in good working order and possibly plan to have a battery-powered backup to ensure it still runs even if a storm knocks the power out.

 

Take a look at your foundation

Does water pool around the foundation after a storm?

 

If water isn’t properly draining away from your house, you could be in big trouble. Fix this by extending the downspout, constructing a creek bed, or even building a garden.

 

Consult an expert to see what may be the best solution for your home.

 

 

While we can’t predict what moves Mother Nature will make, we don’t have to wait like sitting ducks. Taking the steps above will not only minimize damage, but they can also keep you and your family safe.

Take it a step further and get a professional opinion on the state of your home. One of our trained professionals can be on your property in 48 hours or less for an inspection.

Use our easy online scheduling tool to book your appointment!

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home Maintenance, Home safety

Is Your Garage Making You Sick?

An attached garage undoubtedly has many benefits: your car is protected, you have more storage space, and you can easily access it from your home. However, many homeowners with attached garages don’t realize that their air quality could be suffering due to their garage.

An attached garage may not feel like it is part of your home, but if the right measures aren’t taken in construction, it is essentially just another room and the air can easily seep into your main spaces.

Think about it, what are the common items stored in garages?

  • Chemical cleaners
  • Gardening supplies
  • Automotive equipment
  • Paint

All of these things can be contributing factors to poor air quality and worst of all, to poor health within your family.

 

Why Does This Happen?

One cause is due to unfinished floors.

These floors are made of concrete, which is porous and becomes homes to all of the foreign objects that are brought into the garage. Every single particle of dirt that comes in from a shoe or tire is just trapped inside the floor.

Other causes of poor air quality are due to improperly sealed walls. Have a professional seal the wall between the garage and your house to get rid of any cracks or holes.

Bonus: this can also help with energy loss!

If you’re concerned about your garage, follow these tips to make sure your home, and your loved ones, aren’t in danger!

 

What You Can Do

1. Ventilate the garage:

By installing an exhaust fan, you can lower pressure in the garage and prevent carbon monoxide from entering the house.

 

2. Never run your car inside:

Never ever warm up your car inside the garage, even just a few minutes can raise the carbon monoxide to dangerous levels.

 

3. Ditch the chemicals:

For certain chemicals like paints and automotive oils, you should store them in a sealed container.

As for harsher chemicals like some insecticides and herbicides, consider getting rid of them as they use organophosphates, which have been linked with cancer and fertility issues.

However, you should get in touch with your local waste management to dispose of them responsibly.

Look for more organic ways to get rid of pests and weeds, for the health of your yard and your family.

 

 

4. Finish walls and ceilings:

We already talked about how unfinished floors can trap harmful bacteria; the same goes for your walls and ceilings. If not already done, make sure to cover them in drywall, properly sealing the joints, and prime and paint all the surfaces. This way, they are less likely to leak.

 

5. Close the door:

Even if you’re just carrying in a few groceries you should keep your door shut. Installing a self-closing door can help a lot with keeping nasty fumes out!

 

Having an attached garage can have many benefits, but you must be conscientious and take the proper measures to make it a safe space.

 

We Can Help

 

If you think your home could benefit from an air quality inspection, give us a call or schedule your inspection with our easy online tool.

 

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
Categories Home Maintenance, Home safety

Common Issues with Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are an elegant feature that many homeowners jump at the chance to incorporate into their space. They add a touch of coziness to any home and the variety of grains and colors ensure there’s something everyone will love.

Unfortunately, all of the qualities that make it a homeowner favorite can also be the causes of various problems leading to a headache, or worse: spending tons of money on maintenance and repair in the future.

Considering installing hardwood floors or buying a home with these features?

You should keep these common problems at the forefront of your mind to save yourself from any trouble in the future.

 

Common Issues with Hardwood Floors

Wood is naturally susceptible to “movement”. So when seasons change, it will expand and contract.

But there are certain times when serious problems can arise. While not all issues are related to moisture, quite a few are.

Take a look at our list of typical problems:

Cracks and spaces between boards

Heated homes in the winter and the relatively low humidity levels in the wood will sink it, leading to the eventual shrinkage of boards.

Sometimes these spaces will close up on their own throughout the season. But you can limit these seasonal shifts by adding moisture to the air with a humidifier.

 

Crowning

This occurs when your boards are higher in the center than around the edges due to an imbalance or exposure of excess moisture being left and not dried soon after.

 

Cupping

It’s the opposite of crowning, when the center of your boards seems to sink in below the sides. This is typical after accidents like spilling liquid on the floor or soon after installation.

 

Squeaky floors

During installation, it’s possible that an incorrect amount of space was left between the floorboards or sub-flooring panels and the constant expansion can loosen nails.

When someone steps on the floorboards, they will scratch the nails causing a squeaky sound.

 

Buckling

Perhaps the most severe side effect of moisture issues, buckling is an extreme case of crowning and usually occurs after flooding.

 

Peeling finish

Whenever a floor is contaminated or improperly prepped before applying the finish, it can lead to problems down the road. Additionally, failing to clean stain residue from the floor before applying finish can also cause this issue.

 

Debris in the finish

Fortunately, this is an easy problem to avoid.

If you’re preparing to apply finish to your floors, go through the whole house and vacuum and dust — everything! Little particles of dust can go from your light fixtures onto the wet floor finish.

 

While this list may seem overwhelming, they’re all are possible, preventable, or even manageable for those with hardwood floors. If you’re concerned that your home may be suffering from these issues, give us a call!

Our team of experienced professionals at EIG are ready to put your mind at ease with one of our thorough home inspections. Schedule yours here with our easy online scheduling tool!

 

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Garrett HandAuthor Garrett Hand
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