Uncategorized

Jan 05 2021

How Do You Know When You Need to Replace Your Windows?

If you loved spooky stories as a child, you might have relished the idea of owning a house one day with drafty, ratting windows and creaky window panes. But, like many things, adulthood brings with it the reality of budgeting and safety codes—and high energy bills. If your windows are original or are more than 20 years old, chances are they are inefficient and should be replaced.

The Department of Energy estimates that switching out old, inefficient windows could save you between $100 and $500 per year, depending on the type of windows you have. However, improving your budget is only one of the many benefits of replacing your windows. One Man & A Toolbox has been serving Alabama homeowners for over two decades and can help you decide whether it’s time to treat your home to a window renovation.

Window Operation

Windows should open and close easily, making a solid seal when shut. Functioning window locks not only add an additional layer of protection against the elements, but they are an important safety feature of any home. If your windows neither lock nor open and close with ease, then it’s time to replace them.

Drafts

Single-pane windows are notoriously drafty, but any window with a poor seal or broken panels can let in outside air. If you’re uncertain whether your windows are drafty, a handy tip is to use a candle flame. Light a candle and hold it up to all four corners of the window. If the flame flickers, chances are you have a draft.

Some windows let so much air inside that you can actually feel a breeze. In the wintertime, wear a t-shirt and move around inside the room. If the area near the window feels cooler, walk up to the window and place the palm of your hand on the glass. If the glass feels cold to the touch, your furnace is likely pulling double duty to heat up cold air that is constantly coming in from outside.

Condensation

Most double-pane windows are manufactured with a special gas that fills the space between the panes. This gas reduces heat transfer and makes the windows more energy-efficient. A surefire sign of leaky windows is condensation between these panes. When this happens, it means that the treated gas has escaped through a broken seal and has been replaced with air and moisture from outside.

Outside Noise

Sound insulation is a feature of newer, more efficient windows. Older windows and single-pane windows are not going to block out as much noise, which means they also are not going to block out as much air. Window renovations will not only lighten your budget but will also give you some extra peace and quiet.

Expert Consultation

One Man & A Toolbox is proud to serve Alabama’s homeowners by helping them problem-solve just about any renovation project. Whether you’re ready to start a new project today or just need some expert advice, give us a call at one of our three locations or request service on our website.

Dec 23 2020

How Can a Handyman Help With Routine Maintenance?

Keeping up regular maintenance at home or in a commercial setting can be difficult without the right tools or experience. When you hire a handyman like the ones from One Man & A Toolbox, you can save time that you would spend trying to perfect DIY projects and instead make sure the job is done right the first time.

Handymen have years of experience in various repair jobs, as well as the specialized tools that you would otherwise have to buy if you wanted to handle all of your own routine maintenance. Once you start building a long-term relationship with your local handyman, you have access to a professional who will understand your problems better and who can offer consistent quality in their service.

How is a Handyman Different Than a Contract Worker?

Unlike a specialized contract worker, a handyman can perform multiple small home improvement or maintenance tasks ranging from power washing to drywall installation. Each handyman has a different skill set and level of experience for each type of job, so before hiring one it is important to ensure that he is willing and able to effectively finish your work. Handymen also lack state-issued licenses that may be necessary for some jobs that involve major construction or certain price thresholds.

However, because they are generalists, you can save a lot of money by hiring one handyman to complete multiple projects during a single visit. Handymen are usually paid either by the hour or by the job, and often include a minimum charge and travel fee as well, so it is most cost-effective to have all of our problems taken care of in one trip. Their rates are also considerably lower than those for contractors or specialized tradespeople. Despite not needing licenses or certification, you should only hire workers that are insured for their safety and yours.

What Routine Maintenance Can a Handyman Do?

The work a handyman can do on your property is only limited by a small number of factors. Prohibitively expensive equipment such as water compressors for power washers may prevent them from offering certain services unless they are popular, and you may be unable to ask for services that require building permits or other certifications. However, even accounting for different areas of expertise for each individual, there is a certain level of general knowledge and common services you can expect, such as:

● Painting

● Drywall installation

● Fixture replacement

● Tile installation

● Window repair

● Small appliance maintenance

● Smart home installation

● Yard work

These are only a few examples of the general services that handymen can provide, and more specialized services are also available depending on your handyman’s personal experience.

If you want to save time and money on your routine maintenance by having a handyman solve all of your problems at once, call One Man & A Toolbox. We provide maintenance and repairs for both commercial and residential properties from background-checked technicians with years of professional experience. Contact us today and our team members can help you plan your projects and arrange an appointment that is convenient for you.

Dec 10 2020

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Many of the tasks involved in winterizing your home aren’t hard, but there is a lot to remember, and some jobs require a bit of technical know-how, even in the relatively mild climate of Alabama.

It’s a good idea to hire a professional like the experts at One Man & A Toolbox. That will prevent you from accidentally forgetting one of the many chores on your to-do list. Don’t spend all weekend mucking out gutters and caulking the trim around doors and windows, only to suffer a burst pipe or other emergency.

Still, if you want to go it alone, here’s a handy checklist.

Inside Chores

Check your heating and air equipment. At the very least, you may need to change your filters. If you have any concerns, it’s better to call a maintenance professional before the first cold snap of the year, when less-prepared people will cause a backlog for HVAC repair experts.

Set your fans to run clockwise so they push hot air down, helping you stay warm.

Clean your chimney so it’s safe and ready to use when the temperatures start to drop and you want a cozy fire. Make sure you’re stocked up on firewood, and keep it nice and dry so it’s ready to burn.

Now that you’re planning to tune up your heating system to set and stoke a roaring fire, it’s time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Remember, carbon monoxide is odorless and dangerous, so for your family’s safety, make sure yours is in good working order.

Outside Chores

Check for roof damage before the freezing rain and snow starts. Trim back tree branches so animals can’t hide out from the cold in your attic. Remember, if you hear skittering overhead, it probably isn’t Santa’s reindeer; it’s more likely a family of raccoons or other critters.

While you’ve got the ladder out, you can clean the gutters to prevent buildup of leaves and frozen water. Point the downspouts a few feet away from the house so water doesn’t freeze around your building’s foundation.

Speaking of water, decide when you’re shutting down the sprinklers and pool for the season. When it’s time, drain your irrigation system, prepare your pool for winter, and turn off exterior faucets to prevent pipes from freezing. The winter is a good time to schedule any pool repair, because those contractors start to book up once the mercury rises again.

Depending on your yard, fall can be a great time to lay the groundwork for a verdant lawn come spring. While you’re mulching leaves and stowing your mower, consider aerating the ground, overseeding, and applying a winter-ready fertilizer.

Energy Efficiency Chores

Time to seal everything. Check patios, driveways, and other exterior surfaces for cracks. Water that slips inside and freezes will cause cracks to widen, so those areas may need their own sealant.

Examine your doors and windows—if you can slide a nickel through the gap, it’s time to lay on some caulk. Remember, a little work in the fall will translate into lower energy bills once you start firing up the heating system.

In fact, if you’ve never had an energy audit, consider hiring an expert to make sure your home is well-insulated against the elements.

Nov 19 2020

The Top Fence Styles of 2021

With the end of the year quickly approaching, we thought to give you a quick look at the most popular fence styles to expect in 2021. While some of these trends are new, others are reemerging, proving that style is indeed timeless. So, can we interest you in fence designs that are modern, functional, and complementary?

Whatever your vision, we can create it. To jump ahead of the curve before your neighbors catch wind of the latest trends, contact One Man & A Toolbox.

Be Bold, Go Dark

Dark colors exude sophistication and elegance. Trendy homeowners are starting to opt for duskier fence styles, including black and dark brown, to enhance the beauty of their homes. Darker shades blend seamlessly into the background, creating a fantastic backdrop to help other elements in your yard pop, such as vibrant green landscaping or colorful patio furniture.

Even better, dark fences don’t just look nice. They are also very functional, as they don’t show dirt as easily as light colors. That means you can get by with less frequent cleaning—though regular maintenance is still recommended to prolong the life of your fencing.

Nothing Says Secure Like Concrete

If your biggest concern is security, a concrete wall could be your best option. This fence style is timeless yet modern and provides incomparable privacy. We love concrete fences because they are impenetrable and add character to a home.

Depending on where you live in Alabama and your local building regulations, it can be challenging to get the permit to put up a concrete fence. If you want a concrete fence, give us a call. Our team can verify they are allowed in your area and secure any necessary permits.

Two Words: Art Deco

The reemergence of the predominant architectural and decorative art style of the 1920s should not be a surprise. Considering its precise geometric shapes and powerful accents, it makes sense why Art Deco would be among the top fence styles of 2021.

Homeowners with outdoor spaces can adopt this design to create a clean, elegant look without compromising security.

Mix and Match Concepts

Mix and match fence styles are on the rise as they give homeowners the power to break away from traditional norms. Instead of choosing a specific fence style, you can mix and match styles to create the perfect design for your home. The best thing about mix and match fences is that there are no rules.

You can create a fence with wood accents, corrugated metals, and vinyl to meet your practical and aesthetic needs. You can also use privacy shields with Art Deco designs. Your fence, your design.

Don’t Get Left Behind—Contact Us to Add Value to Your Home!

What comes to mind when you think about fences? Privacy, security, or aesthetics? Or perhaps, you think about keeping your dogs in or blocking high winds. One Man & A Toolbox can help you explore fence styles, choose a design, and implement it at a competitive rate. Call us today for a quote.

Nov 05 2020

The Importance of Roof Maintenance

Chances are you don’t give your roof much thought—or won’t until something goes wrong with it. But you should, at least, if you don’t want something to go wrong with it. Regular roof maintenance will prolong the life of your roof and reduce the chances of leaks, damage, and more.

At One Man & A Toolbox, we’re happy to handle your roof’s maintenance for you, but thought we’d give you just a few—or five—reasons to call us. Here are five key facts stressing the importance of roof maintenance:

Roof Maintenance Decreases Your Liability

A roof is like most other facets of your home. If you leave it unmaintained, you will run into issues that can be harmful not only to your house but your personal safety. Even worse, your homeowner’s insurance may deny your claim if it is found that you deliberately ignored minor roofing issues in the past. The potential of small issues compounding to extreme problems over time is remarkably high.

Roof Maintenance Saves You Money

Keeping with the theme of regular maintenance, having your roof inspected frequently will save you a lot of money in the long run. Major roofing issues, particularly leaks, can run your tab up into the thousands.

If you give your roof the attention it needs, you can ensure it will last for potentially decades and make your bank account breathe a sigh of relief.

Roof Maintenance is Non-Invasive

We have all had that handyman come in and pull out the noisiest equipment attached to his utility belt. One of the benefits of roof maintenance is that it is, in fact, very non-invasive. This is great news for you and your neighbors, as you will be able to go through your day undisturbed.

On the flip side of the coin, once water damage has been done to your home, the process becomes more complex and invasive. This is yet another reason why regular maintenance is essential.

Roof Maintenance Extends Your Roof’s Lifespan

As we touched on a bit earlier, roofs are built to last a long time. Maintaining your roof will save you the hassle and expense of having to replace it earlier than expected.

Full roof replacements are obviously a disruptive and time-consuming process. Professional maintenance is the only way to ensure you get the most out of your current roof.

Roof Maintenance Prevents Leaks

Finally, leaks are the most common issue that we see with roofs. Your roof will naturally experience wear and tear as it is exposed to the elements. If you only take one thing from this article, it should be to prevent leaks at all costs. Leaks not only damage your roof but the entire infrastructure of your home.

At One Man & A Toolbox, we can’t stress the importance of roof maintenance enough. Don’t let small issues go unattended and turn into big problems. Call us today to have one of our vetted professionals inspect your roof and give you an estimate.