Archive for the Home Repair Posts Category

With spring right around the corner, many Marylanders are thinking about what projects they’ll get done outside once it finally dries out. One of those questions might be should you replace or repair your deck? No matter how old your deck is, it should be inspected annually to determine if repairs are needed. Regular inspections can help avoid costly repairs and it will keep your family and friends safe when occupying the deck. When the weather clears and there’s been a few days of dry weather, give the deck a thorough once-over to determine if it needs repairs or if it’s time to replace it. Check the Ledger The ledger is the framing material used to attach the deck to the house or other structure to keep it secure. The #1 leading cause of collapse on a deck is rotted or decaying ledger, according to the North American Deck and

Is it time to replace your windows? Spring is a popular time for homeowners to come outside and look at their home’s exterior with fresh eyes. One thing that you may overlook are the windows. Here are a few ways to tell if you need to replace your windows. High Energy Costs Cold winters in Maryland can cause energy costs to increase, but so can drafty or old windows. Your furnace or heat pump has to work extra hard to overcome the cold air let in, which shows when you get a higher-than-normal energy bill. Rather than give more money to the energy company, invest in new windows to see savings in your energy bill. Drafty Windows If you happen to feel a draft inside, it usually means the windows are to blame. Cold or windy days are the best at showing the breeze coming in from your closed windows.

Gutters are an essential part of the home because they keep water away from the foundation and prevent premature decay and rot. Harsh weather conditions like we see in Maryland can degrade the gutter system fast. Inspection is critical to determine if a repair is needed or if it’s time to replace the gutters. Confined gutter problems usually mean the existing gutter can be salvaged and repaired. But if issues are popping up along the gutter system, it may be time to replace it. Here are six signs you may find that indicate you need to replace your gutters. Cracks Large cracks are easy to spot, especially when it’s raining. The gutters’ job is to move water away from the home, and cracks in the gutters ultimately defeat this purpose. You can repair small cracks, but a large crack could mean your gutters are past their prime, and you need