Deal of the Month

Sign a contract with Fauser Home Improvement during the month of February and receive a FREE small treat bag from The 'Happy Dog' Bakery located at 1629 5th Avenue in Moline. Why not give them a call to see what else they offer for your four footed friend 309/7964-0990. To obtain a FREE Estimate from Fauser Home Improvement, give us a call at 309/792-3122 or visit us anytime by going to http://www.fauserhi.com/!

How to Wash a Window During Freezing Weather

Combine one cup water with two cups vehicle window cleaner. Pour mixture into a spray bottle. Spray outside of window, since the automotive cleaner won’t freeze you have time to clean the window. Use a soft cloth or newspaper to wipe away solution and don't forget the corners!

How to Keep your Deck Protected against the Winter

Wood is known to expand and contract in different temperatures and having snow and cold directly on the tiles has many homeowners worried. As a rule, however, a good deck tile should be able to withstand it. Here are a few things that you should consider about cold conditions and wooden deck tiles.

• Either put patio furniture inside or cover them with a tarp
• Flowerpots can crack with ice and cold temperature so bring them in

·       Clear leaves and other organic material, as it could cause mold, rot, staining or mildew if it is left there all winter. DO NOT USE A METAL SHOVEL

• It’s not a bad idea to clean snow off your deck, snow can be very heavy!
• Only use sodium chloride (i.e. Halite) types of salt on a wood deck or porch that has been water-sealed or stained. Calcium chloride salts will reduce the effectiveness of a water-repellent coating.

Tips for a Winter Storm

A bad winter storm can mean the loss of electricity, heat, transportation, and even support services. During a bad storm there are several things you can do to protect yourself until the danger passes. Here are a few tips:

• Stay calm. A winter storm is usually just a major nuisance, not a full-blown crisis. If proper shelter is provided for, lives are usually not at risk.

• If the house temperature drops to near freezing, turn off the main water supply and open faucets to drain the pipes. This will prevent water from freezing in the pipes and rupturing them, thereby avoiding future expensive damage.

• After a very heavy snowfall, you may need to clear your roof, ideally with a roof rake. Otherwise the weight of the snow may damage your house, especially flat or low-angle roofs. Be sure your air intake for the house is clear, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. During a power outage you may not have a functioning alarm.

Tips on Chimney Cleaning

Chimney sweeping should be a regular part of your home maintenance that is done every year. While there is a break in the snow here are some things to check on your Chimney:

·       Buy a set of chimney rods and brushes at the hardware store. Run the brush down the chimney, using a short up-and-down plunging motion. Some brushes are designed to twist as well. Go back inside the house and use a short chimney brush to clean the flue, which is the pipe that runs between the fireplace and the chimney.    

• Check your chimney to make sure it free of debris. Take a moment to cap the chimney or screen it. A cap will keep out animals, leaves, twigs, and rain. Rain entering from the uncovered top, does most of the damage in a chimney by getting into the mortar joints inside the firebox causing them to become weak and deteriorate.

• When a chimney is filled with smoke, not of its own formation, but from the funnel next to it, an easy remedy offers, in covering each funnel with a conical top, or earthen crock, not cylindrical, but a frustum of a cone, by means of which the two openings are separated a few inches, and the cold air or the gust of wind no longer forces the smoke down with them.