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Jun 29 2021

Making Bedrooms Larger with Pocket Doors

If you’ve ever been in a building where the doors slide into the wall instead of opening out, it looks pretty cool. People usually call them sliding doors, but they also are called “pocket doors.” Pocket doors are not a new type of door, but they serve several excellent purposes and have all the stylish fun and versatility of regular doors.

Pocket Door Saves Space

Swinging or pivot doors cannot fit inside some buildings, so the solution is usually to slide the door into the wall. That might be because furniture creates a tight space, or a door might open onto a small hallway. Pocket doors also make excellent room dividers, sliding in and out of place when you need them.

If you prefer not to have doors sitting at an angle, pocket doors can slide into the wall for a completely clear doorway. Unlike sliding barn doors, pocket doors become invisible when they slide into the wall. This method saves space and gives the impression that your bedroom is larger than it actually is.

Unique Sliding Mechanisms

Pocket doors are used to glide in and out of walls through sliding mechanisms. In the past, manufacturers would put floor tracks in a doorway, but they try to avoid that now for a more seamless transition. Floor tracks tend to collect dust and debris, so most manufacturers put a floor guide only in the pocket, freeing up space in the doorway.

Not needing any floor tracks also means not needing a stop at the back of the door pocket. Doing so reduces the chances of needing to get the door serviced or repaired.

Privacy in Open Floor Plans

Nowadays, many homes have open floor plans where the kitchen, dining room, or living room are all in the same open space. While you don’t mind this plan most of the time, you might sometimes want to close it off briefly.

Maybe you have guests over for dinner one night, but you want to duck into the kitchen to take care of dirty dishes quickly. You can briefly let your guests know you are busy by closing the door while taking care of business.

What Can You Do with Pocket Doors in a Bedroom?

In all honesty, you can install pocket doors anywhere in your home. Here’s where we think they’ll especially come in handy in a bedroom.

Bedroom Entrances

If you have a smaller room or just want to fit more fun furniture into your room, a pocket door is an excellent choice to consider. They’re also a quiet choice since they’re easier to close without making clicking, creaking, or slamming noises when other people might be asleep.

Pocket doors come in all sorts of styles so that you can choose different colors and other aesthetic choices like whether there are windows in the door, which truly helps make your bedroom feel like your own.

Bear in mind that with any wall that has a pocket for these doors, you can’t install any light switches or outlets.

Bedroom Closet Doors

Although most bedroom closet doors slide inward and already save you some room, they’re still a good place to have pocket doors.

Maybe you don’t have a lot of space inside the closet. Maybe you want to have enough space inside to model your newest outfits. Either way, sliding open the door to your closet could save you some space.

You might find pocket doors to be a more fun door type to use. If you have a more dramatic personality, you might enjoy sliding open the door dramatically to reveal your closet space and all your most fabulous outfits.

Arranging a Bedroom for More Space

It’s true that pocket doors can save you space by themselves. However, you can have fun rearranging your furniture to create even more space in your bedroom.

For example, you can install a lamp in your ceiling instead of buying a floor lamp. You could jazz it up further by installing a ceiling fan with a stylish lamp in it, killing two birds with one stone.

You can rearrange your closet so you can put your dresser inside.

For your bed, you can press it up against the wall furthest from the door. That way, you’ll have room for more chairs or a bench to drop your things.

Conclusion

The fun of pocket doors is they are just as versatile and stylish as regular doors. Whatever your color scheme or wood preference, or if you want windows, you can pick whatever you like for your home. Pocket doors have come a long way since their less-than-stylish predecessors, so it might be a good time to give them a shot.

Jun 16 2021

Looking for Hot Water Tank Leaks to Prevent Flood Damage

When flooding happens in your home, it can be very distressing and seemingly impossible to deal with. The damage done to your property will likely be expensive, and you may lose precious treasures that just can’t be replaced, like family photo albums.

If you have a hot water tank in your home, you need to learn all of the ins and outs to maintain the function of your water heater to prevent leaks from taking place. With that in mind, here are a few things that you can implement into your hot water tank maintenance process to avoid potential flood damage.

What Causes Leaking Hot Water Tanks

There are a lot of potential triggers that can lead to leaking tanks. A few of the most common are corrosion, rust, overheating, pressure, faulty pressure release valves, and sediment buildup. When one of these instances occurs, the accumulation of water can cause damage to your flooring, electrical components, and drywall. That is why it is important to know the steps to prevent this from happening.

Fortunately, you can prevent these leaks from ever occurring by making sure that your hot water tank is up to date on its regular maintenance. Otherwise, if your hot water heater is nearing the end of its life, it may be time to invest in a replacement to help keep your home safe from leaks.

Check your Hot Water Tanks for Leaks

Regularly checking your hot water tank helps to prevent leaks or stop them fast.

If you notice what is gathering around the bottom of the tank, check to ensure that it is not condensation. There are instances where water drips down the sides during the heating process.
If the pooling water is not due to condensation, look at the temperature-pressure valve toward the top. The valve should open and let water out if the pressure has risen too high. This means you need to replace the valve.
If that is not the problem, look at the drain valve on the bottom. See if the leak stops by tightening it. If it does not stop, you likely need to replace the valve.
You may notice water spraying out of the pipes or tank. Shut off the main water line right away until you can get the issue solved.

How to Prevent Your Hot Water Tank from Flooding?

There are a few things that you need to know to prevent your hot water tank from leaking and causing potential flooding in your home.

Practice regular maintenance. The first thing you should do to prevent a water tank leak is to regularly perform maintenance to be completely sure it is working. When you check, you should inspect the temperature and pressure and check the anode rod. You should also look for moisture, pooling water, or signs of mold damage near the tank.

Use a water shut-off valve. To attempt to prevent a hot water tank leak from worsening, try using an automatic water shut-off valve. Water shut-off valves find leaks and send the control box a signal to shut down the water supply to the heater. When the supply is cut off, the valve remains shut until you reset it manually. The majority of shut-off valves will also sound off an alarm to notify you that a leak was found and alert you to any maintenance it may require.

Drain your hot water tank. Though shut-off valves have their perks, they only work to ensure that the detected leak does not get worse. But what happens to the water that is already there? That water will leak until you drain it. To drain your hot water tank, you need to follow these steps:

Turn the hot water tank off.
Shut down the water supply.
Attach a hose to the water tank via the drain valve located at the base of the tank. Then, place the other end of your hose somewhere where it is okay to drain water and release the drain valve.
Release the pressure relief valve.
Wash any sediment that may be accumulating inside the tank by opening the water supply.

If you suspect your hot water tank may need more work than you can give it, call One Man & A Toolbox. We can come out and provide you with any maintenance or repairs you may need. Our technicians are responsible and experienced, and we’ll be sure to satisfy your preventative maintenance needs! Contact us today, and someone from our team can help you with your hot water tank.

Jun 02 2021

Building a Pergola or Arbor for Spring and Summer Entertaining

If you are looking to spruce up your yard and get ready for those spring and summer cookouts, then hop on this summer’s hottest DIY project! Building a pergola or arbor is easier than you might think, and it adds a beautiful lattice roof to frame, accentuate, and shade wherever you plan on entertaining.

Below we will walk you through the simple step-by-step method to easily construct a pergola or arbor on your own!

What Is a Pergola?

A pergola is a yard feature that is made to shade and accentuate an area. They are made with four beams that support a type of roof made from cross beams. They are open and do not completely cover an area. Pergolas are used to frame a sitting space architecturally and can be used to grow vines, hanging plants, and grapes.

What Is an Arbor?

The words arbor and pergola can be used interchangeably to describe the lattice-roofed structure described above. Arbors are sometimes smaller and frame a walkway or yard entrance. They provide some shade, but they are mainly used for accentuating a walkway, sitting area, patio, or barbeque.

How to Build a Pergola or Arbor?

Believe it or not, building a pergola is not as hard as it might seem! These structures are relatively easy to construct and even easier to maintain. Follow these simple steps below if you want to create a beautiful structure for any section of your yard or patio. Before you begin, you will need a full toolbox and some basic building skills.

1) Pick Your Spot – Choose a spot for your arbor or pergola to stand. This can be over a patio where you have laid concrete or tile, or you can pour gravel or wood chips underneath to make a makeshift patio. Call your local utilities to make sure you won’t be digging up any buried lines in the process.

2) Get a Pergola or Arbor Design – Purchase or print a pergola blueprint and design that specifies exactly what you will need for the pergola you plan to build. There are hundreds of different pergola and arbor designs, so find one that fits your needs.

3) Obtain and Cut Woods – Obtain your desired wood according to the blueprint you are using. You will likely want to use more expensive, sturdier wood if you want your structure to last. Spending more on wood rather than getting something cheap will ensure that it withstands the weather. You will need to cut the wood to the necessary lengths with a circular saw.

4) Dig Holes – Measure the exact distance you will be staking the four outer posts and mark them with stakes and strings. You can set the columns in concrete for a more stable pergola or line the holes with gravel to allow for drainage and prevent wood columns from rotting.

5) Assemble the Top – Once your lumber is all cut to size and your columns are placed, you will want to assemble the lattice top. Secure the four main beams in place using angle brackets or screws, depending on your desired layout.

6) Attach Rafters – If you are designing a large pergola, attach ledger strips to the beams and place your rafters on the ledgers. Screw them each into the main beams. If you are designing a small arbor, you may just need to simply screw the rafters onto the top of the beams to create an overhang design.

7) Attach Lattice Beams – Once your rafters are secured in place, you can lay your lattice beams on top of them and space them evenly across the roof. The more you add, the more shade you will receive. Screw them into place.

8) Finally – you can paint or stain your arbor or pergola however you want. This can also be done at the beginning before you assemble the lumbar if you are building a large pergola rather than a small walkway arbor.

Conclusion

If you want to step up your spring and summer entertaining, adding an arbor or pergola to your patio or yard could make all the difference. With dappled light coming through, these partially shaded structures will help keep you cool while allowing you to enjoy the outdoor weather.

If you want an extra hand constructing your arbor or pergola, give us a call. Contact us at One Man & a Toolbox to see how we can help!

May 30 2021

Hiring Licensed, Bonded, and Insured Contractors

When building or renovating a home, verifying contractor insurance and ensuring your contractor is licensed and bonded is one of the most important things you can do.

Sure, there are the plans, materials, and budget, but if the contractor you hire isn’t licensed, bonded, or doesn’t have constructor insurance, you are putting yourself and your family at risk. That risk is why hiring a bonded, licensed contractor with contractor insurance is so important.

The Risk of Hiring an Uninsured Contractor

Anyone who does work at your home or on your property should be properly insured—whether it’s a contractor, a painter, landscaper, or pool cleaner.

For example, let’s say you hire a landscaping company to trim your trees. While on the job in your backyard, one of the workers falls off a ladder and breaks her leg. If the landscaping company doesn’t have proper insurance, you could be financially liable for the injury because it happened on your property.

If the company has contractor insurance, then the company is responsible. See how important it is?

Contractor Insurance: Important Questions to Ask

Hiring an uninsured contractor may save you money upfront, but you may end up paying more later. So ask your contractor if they have

workers compensation insurance,
liability insurance protection.

Ask your contractor for an ACORD certificate of insurance (COI). This is a one-page document that verifies the contractor company has the insurance it claims to have. It shows the name of the insurance company, the plan’s limits, and the expiry date.

If your contractor refuses or fails to show you a COI, be wary. They are very easy for a contractor with legitimate contractor insurance to get and produce because most insurance agents will provide them to companies free of charge.

What Is the Difference Between Being Bonded and Insured?

Contractor insurance is essential, but a contractor that is bonded is equally important. Why? Well, while insurance protects you if an employee gets injured on your property, a bond protects you if the contractor doesn’t do the job properly, doesn’t finish the job, or if one of the employees damages your property.

Contractors purchase bonds through a surety company and pay premiums to keep them current. If a contractor walks off the job without delivering the finished product, you can make a claim for compensation against the contractor with the surety company.

In many jurisdictions, contractors must be bonded to get a license. A bond also offers you protection if

the contractor doesn’t pay subcontractors,
the contractor doesn’t pay suppliers,
the contractor doesn’t pay for proper permits,
tools and/or material go missing or get stolen from your property.

If you do make a claim against a contractor with a surety company, remember you need to provide evidence that the contractor failed to live up to the terms you agreed upon or that the job wasn’t done to your satisfaction.

License to Build

Thirdly, you need to make sure your contractor has a valid license. In many states, contractors and subcontractors can legally operate without a license. So, why is it so important?

Well, as we mentioned above, if a contractor is licensed, it usually means it is also bonded. Plus, you can have peace of mind that the contractor takes its business seriously enough to go through the trouble of obtaining a legal license. Without a license, you could be dealing with a fly-by-night operation!

How to Verify Contractor Insurance, Bonds, and Licenses

The most important thing you have to do is to ask questions. Ask your contractor if he/she has contractor insurance, and demand to see an ACORD certificate of insurance (COI). You can also follow up and call the insurance company to verify the coverage and confirm the limits. You can also ask that your name gets added to the liability coverage.

When it comes to licensing, ask to see the contractor’s license, note the license number, and you can check with your state’s licensing board.

The same goes for the bond. Ask to see the bond certificate and follow up with the surety company to verify it’s valid. Then you already have the surety company’s contact information in case you need to file a claim.

Hire a Proven Licensed. Bonded, and Insured Contractor

One Man & A Toolbox has been providing professional handyman services to Alabama homes, businesses, and families since 1997. We are insured, bonded, and licensed with all the credentials. We have a drug-free workplace, and all our technicians undergo background checks.

We are also a member of the Better Business Bureau. Our reputation is your guarantee that our work is professional, efficient, and done right the first time. Contact us today to learn how we can help you improve your home.

May 19 2021

Understanding Why Pressure Washing Preserves Paint and Lengthens Its Life Span

If the next item on your to-do list is to clean the exterior surfaces in your domestic space, you’ve likely seen pressure washing among the most popular techniques to accomplish your task—for good reason. The proper wand-spray application of high-powered H2O can clear excess dirt and muck while preserving the shine and color in your home’s outside walls.

No matter how resolute you may be with your power-washing wand, it’s crucial to step back before you go to town on the painted surfaces of your house. To understand the effects of pressure washing, we have to educate ourselves on its benefits and dangers.

Pressure washing can indeed preserve paint over a long time. Let’s discover how and why.

Benefits of Pressure Washing On Paint

If you know how to handle the pressure washing mechanism, there’s no end to what you can do to improve the look and texture of exterior paints.

Take a close look at the surface of your home. Unless you clean your shingles regularly, you’ll find

grime,
dirt,
droppings,
and lots of stains.

These are the markings on your paint that present a discolored look to visitors and pedestrians passing by. Pressure washing can solve those problems without repainting with a new coat.

While it’s entirely possible to clean paint surfaces by hand, you’ll need costly solvents or detergents with bad odors (like TSP, or trisodium phosphate) to accomplish the job. But if you use a pressure washer, you can extend the life span of your paint by two to three years.

For one-fifth of the effort and time it takes to repaint your exterior surfaces, you can use pressure washers to remove all the grime and muck that accumulates on shingles, trim, door panels, and eaves. Many pressure hose systems are indeed used to remove paint, but there’s no reason not to use them to gently clean paint surfaces and shine them up.

How Pressure Washing Affects the Home Exterior

The first thing you’ll hear when renting out a pressure washing hose system is this: “Pressure washing is for removing paint and preparing the surface for a new coat.” While many homeowners use pressurized water for this purpose, the careful user will adopt the washing system to clean existing paint surfaces without damaging them.

So how does pressure washing affect paint? Firstly, it removes the cobwebs, dirt, grass stains, and gunk that naturally accrue on the sides of painted objects over time. There’s also

mold,
mildew,
dust,
pollen,
substances caused by pollution.

All these superficial pollutants endanger the lifespan of your paint. You might also notice a layer of chalk on the paint—this grows on your home as UV light penetrates it.

Selecting the right nozzle is key when choosing how you’re going to wash your painted surfaces. You’ll want to employ a 25-degree or 15-degree nozzle to ensure you don’t slake off paint chips while you’re cleaning. A 0-degree wand will certainly remove paint at once—we don’t recommend these wands.

Understanding pressure washing means understanding technique. It works on wood, brick, aluminum siding, and vinyl. If the paint layer that you’re dealing with has any chance of being lead-based (painted before 1978), stop power washing immediately. Go to your local professionals. They’ll use manual methods instead.

Dangers of Pressure Washing Your Home

Of course, it is just as important to know the precautions to take with pressure washing paint as it is to know the benefits. The main thing you might be looking for when employing pressure washing is to secure the long lifespan of the paint. Pressure washing can do that.

By scouring away the damaging dirt, mildew, and dirt, all exterior paints benefit from a healthier environment and more air. It’s not only curb appeal that improves from a good pressure washing—your paint surface itself with thank you too.

However, you have to keep safety precautions at the fore when using pressure washing solutions. The hose on pressure washers is not like a garden hose. It’s not a toy. So make sure you observe the proper pressurization standards and, for our sake, keep your wands angled at 30–15%.

The goal when directing pressurized water at paint is to clean it, not to strip it. You’d be surprised at how low the pressure needs to be to blast away cobwebs, mildew, and mold. The golden rule: less is more.

Last Thoughts – Give Us a Call!

Not only should you employ pressure washing for serious grime removal. Your painted surfaces will benefit all the more from regular scourings with the power wand. You’ll extend your paint’s lifespan and ensure it keeps impressing the neighbors and visitors for decades.

Are you thinking of renting a pressure washer to bring back the glow to your beloved painted house, gate, or fence? Dial us up at 205-749-7019 in Birmingham, 334-270-4145 in Montgomery, and 205-752-1216 in Tuscaloosa today!