Maintenance

July 25 2022

Dealing With Termites in Your Home

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Home Maintenance, Information inspection, Maintenance, prevention, Repairs

How to Prevent, Identify and Eliminate Termites There’s about 40 different species of termites that can be found in the U.S. and they cause approximately $5 billion in damage each year. Unfortunately, homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover termite damage. If you suspect that your home has termites, or if your home inspector has identified some termite red flags, read on for more info about how to deal with and prevent termite damage. What are termites? Termites are insects with wings of equal length that live in underground colonies. They feast on decomposing plant materials and live in societies structured around a queen, soldiers and workers. Termites may look similar to ants, but they have straight antennae and thicker abdomens than ants. Termites cannot chew through concrete, but they can crawl through tiny cracks within concrete to get to wooden beams and structures within your home. Where do they come from and what causes infestations? Certain species of subterranean termites are native to the Western and Eastern United States. Formosan termites were brought over to North America a few centuries ago and can destroy wood structures faster than other native subterranean species. Subterranean termites come up through the ground and into your […]

July 11 2022

How to Adjust HVAC Dampers

Robert Jones Home Maintenance, Information homeowners, Maintenance, Summer, tips, winter

Using HVAC Dampers to Improve Air Flow in Your Home Unless you live in a perfect Mediterranean environment where the temperature remains at a comfortable level all year long, you most likely have to adjust your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system with seasonal changes. In the winter, you want hot air to circulate throughout your home, and in the summer, cool air should fill all your rooms. Aside from switching your thermostat from “heat” to “cool,” a great way to regulate temperature and air flow is by adjusting your HVAC dampers. Similar to how a dam controls water flow, dampers control air flow. By opening or closing them, you can promote or prevent airflow to certain parts of your home. Read on for more info about how and when to use HVAC dampers. DAMPER LOCATION AND HOW IT WORKS Not every home has HVAC dampers, but if yours does, they are found inside the ducts of your HVAC system. They look and function like flaps or shutters. If you have a two or three story home, the main air duct that runs from the mechanical room likely branches off into two or three different ducts to move air […]

June 20 2022

Porch and Deck Safety

Robert Jones Home Inspections, Information, Safety homeowners, inspection, Maintenance, Repairs, safety

Identifying Safety Issues with Your Porch, Deck or Balcony Porches, decks and balconies are great additions to any home, but they can also pose dangers when not maintained properly. Hazards like loose railings, gaps between deck boards and rusted fasteners are common in homes where decks and porches are left in poor condition. Read on for tips on how to identify and prevent common porch and deck safety issues. Loose Railings Lagging screws in from the outside when building a railing can result in loose railings and pose a hazard to anyone leaning against it. Ideally, rail posts mounted to the interior of a frame can be strengthened by installing blocking around the post, creating a kind of pocket for it and making it sturdier. For railing posts connected to the outside of the frame, you can strengthen the rail by tightening the bolts and installing blocking to the rim joist. Also check that carriage bolts go all the way through to ensure a tighter fit for railings. Gaps in Butt Joints Too much room between the ends, or butt joints, of deck boards can pose a tripping hazard, and too large of a gap can cause the wood in […]

June 6 2022

Summer Home Maintenance Tips

Robert Jones Home Maintenance, Residential Maintenance, Repairs, Summer

6 Ways to Maintain Your Home This Summer With longer days and hot months ahead, it’s a great time to tackle summer home maintenance projects, especially if you missed out on some tasks in the spring. Follow these six summer home maintenance tips to keep your home in great condition and prevent damage from the elements. Taking good care of your home during the summer can help prolong the life of your roof, gutters, landscaping and more. Power wash exteriors Whether concrete, wood or other material, your deck can last longer and look better if it gets power washed. Power washing helps to remove the dirt, mold, mildew or algae that can make your deck a slippery, un-safe surface to walk on. You can also power wash brick and aluminum siding exteriors. Be mindful when operating power washing equipment because it can cause splintering in wood decks. Also, plan to power wash on milder days because extreme sun or heat may dry out the cleaning agents and prevent them from working properly. After you’re done power washing your deck, it’s a good idea to seal it to prevent it from water and sun damage in the future. Check your HVAC […]

May 9 2022

Common Interior and Exterior Drainage Problems

Robert Jones Home Maintenance, Information drainage, Maintenance, Repairs

How To Spot Home Drainage Issues With the spring season approaching, rain storms can be great for keeping your lawn and garden lush, but too much water can also cause problems. When water cannot drain properly inside or outside your home, it can result in costly damage. Here’s what you should know about interior and exterior drainage issues and their possible solutions. EXTERIOR DRAINAGE ISSUES Overflowing Gutters If pools of water are gathering under your roof eaves, or if the siding on one side of your home is discolored, your home may have overflowing gutters. The gutters can overflow when they’re not positioned correctly, aren’t large enough, or if there’s debris blocking the gutter or downspout. Be sure to clean gutters regularly and purchase new hardware to ensure that the gutters are positioned correctly. Ponding Water Poorly draining soil and low spots in the yard can cause ponding water. To address this draining problem, dethatching and aerating may be necessary. If the ponding water is due to an improperly graded lawn or slope, you may need to install a French drain, which can re-route the flow of water. Cracks in Foundation Lack of proper drainage near your home’s foundation can […]

March 21 2022

8 Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Robert Jones Home Maintenance, Information Maintenance, Repairs, Spring

Get Your Home Ready for Spring with these Home Maintenance Tips When a long winter finally ends and the promise of a new season arrives, you’re going to look forward to freshening up your home for the warmer months ahead. If you’ve already followed our tips for fall home maintenance, you’ll be in good shape for spring projects that can keep your home looking and functioning at its best. Here are some tips to get started with your spring home maintenance plan. Exterior Home Maintenance Roof inspection Spring is a great time for a roof inspection since your roof likely experienced some wear and tear during the freezing and thawing of fall and winter. Look for algae, moss, and piles of leaves on top of your roof, as well as buckled or missing shingles. Inspect your roof up close, and while you’re at it, clear out the gutters to ensure they can operate at full capacity for spring rains. Lawn Care Your lawn will also require a little TLC this spring. Rake your lawn to prepare for new growth, aerate if necessary, and don’t forget to service your lawn mower. And be sure to trim overgrowth and tidy up flowerbeds to prepare them for […]