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Winters Biggest Threat to Your Home...

While you can't change the weather, you can minimize some of winter's biggest threats to your home. Heavy snow accumulation can pose a threat to your home-- both as it builds up and as it melts.

The three most important things to do are:

1.      Remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and all walls. Melting snow can lead to water damage and moisture intrusion.

2.      Keep your attic well ventilated to maintain a temperature close to that of the outdoors to minimize the risk of ice dams forming. A warm attic melts snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where it's much cooler. If ice builds up and blocks water from draining, water is forced under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

3.      Watch for snow accumulation on the leeward (downwind) side of a higher-level roof, where blowing snow will collect. For safe removal that won't endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing contractor for a referral.

 

Benefits of Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding helps create distinctive style and unique character, while providing energy efficiency for any home allowing homeowners to express their individual style. Vinyl siding also has an important job, protecting the exterior of your house. Vinyl siding stands up to high winds and resists moisture.  Vinyl siding never needs painting allowing for a simple wash with a soft cloth and garden hose. Vinyl siding adds value to a home not only resale value but saves cost using far less resources to maintain the home.

For more information visit our website at www.FauserHI.com.

5 Tips for Winterizing your Home

Tips to Winterizing your Home

1.       Clean those gutters 

2.       Block those leaks

3.       Insulate the attic

4.       Check the furnace

5.       Wrap those pipes

For more information give Fauser Home Improvement a call at (309) 792-3122.

Frost on Windows

The collection of frost on a house's windows is beautiful, but it can damage wooden framing, discolor varnished interior frames and dislodge mitered corners on wooden or metal windows. Frost, usually accompanied by underlying ice, forms when moisture collects on one side of a window drawn into place by heat on the other. That's why a two-pane window offers more protection from frost and ice formation.

It's difficult to scrape windows, once they're frosted over. A hair dryer can help melt the ice and a towel can mop up excessive water. To prevent frost from forming on windows, interior air should be warm and relatively dry. By turning on a small electric heater in a room a couple of hours before sundown, windows typically will not frost on the interior. Taping or stapling plastic sheeting over the interior or exterior of windows can help. Since drafty windows drive up heat bills, it's cost-effective to install storm or thermal windows in many cases.

 

 

Cleaning Gutters

When you begin removing debris from your gutters, you should think ahead. Always start the gutter cleaning process at the corner of your home, near a downspout. Work your way away from the spout to reduce the possibility of clogging the spout as you work. After removing the larger debris from your gutters, you will need a hose and a sprayer. Use the sprayer to remove small debris from the gutters. Spray the gutters until there are no more signs of debris. If your downspout is clogged, try spraying the hose directly into the downspout. If this does not work you may need to use a plumbers snake to loosen the clog.

 

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New Windows

The weather conditions outside your home should not appear on the inside—a good sign that your windows need to be replaced. Inefficient windows can leak, allowing water to come into your house both in front of and behind the walls—a leading cause of mold and mildew in homes. Old, worn-out windows or patio doors often leak air, resulting in high energy bills during peak heating and cooling months. The glass may be loose or the seal between the sash and frame may have weakened. Give Fauser Home Improvement a call for a FREE ESTIMATE on new windows. (309)792-3122.

Easy Gutter Cleaning

Cleaning the gutters on your home can be a frustrating and difficult task. Before pulling out your ladder and hose, make sure you know the proper way to clean your gutters.

The most straightforward way to clean gutters is to place a ladder against your house, climb high enough to see into the gutters, scoop out and discard all debris. Begin at the farthest end of the house, working your way toward the downspout. Use a garden hose to rinse the gutters.

Flush the downspout with the hose, and the debris should come out the bottom. If the downspout is so clogged that it cannot be flushed, you will need to insert a probe into the downspout to dislodge the clog. A "plumber's snake," available at most hardware stores, works well for this. Also use this opportunity to make any repairs to your gutters. Replace any missing nails or screws, and repair any cracks or leaks using silicone caulk.

It is easy to just throw the debris you pull out of the gutter on your lawn, but it is likely that you will forget to clean it up. Cleaning up the debris is also much easier if you plan ahead. Instead of throwing it to the lawn below, tie a trash bag to the ladder where you will be working. As you work, you will be able to place the debris directly in the bag instead of raking it up later.

Vinyl Siding

Install vinyl siding  and you will never have to paint your house again. Unlike wood or cedar, this durable plastic will not rot or flake. Vinyl is available in several dozen colors, and can mimic architectural details that were once made from wood. It's no wonder that vinyl has become the most popular siding material in the United States and is quickly gaining momentum around the world.

Weatherproof Your Deck

The first step in weatherproofing a deck is to thoroughly clean it. You can clean it with a hard bristle brush and a deck cleaning solution or you can use a pressure washer. If you elect to use a pressure washer it is important to use a low pressure nozzle and keep the nozzle an adequate distance away from the decking boards (approximately 12 to 18 inches) so that you do not damage the wood grain

 While cleaning the deck look for and replace any rotting or damaged decking boards. Also, hammer down any loose nails, or replace them altogether. In addition, make sure to use non-corrosive nails when fastening down new deck boards.

 After the deck has been cleaned, and has had time to thoroughly dry, you can then apply the deck weatherproofing solution. Typically deck weatherproofing products used to seal the deck are clear deck sealers, semi-transparent stains, colored stains, and paints. I prefer semi-transparent stains the best as they provide color and protection, and they don’t peel.

 I find the best way to apply the deck sealer is with a roller and a 4 inch wide brush. However, before weatherproofing your deck, make sure the weather forecast is clear of rain for at least 24 hours, and preferably 48. 

With the weather forecast clear of rain, start in a corner of the deck and work your way outwards in small sections at a time. First apply the deck sealer with a roller, and then follow up behind with a paint brush to work it into the decking boards.

 For the deck balusters and railings it is best to apply the deck weatherproofing sealant with a brush, albeit it is time consuming. Spraying these items simply wastes too much sealant, and it doesn’t get worked into the wood pieces as well.

 Once you’ve weatherproofed your deck allow it to dry for 24 to 48 hours, depending up weather conditions, prior to walking on the deck or placing items on it.

Gutters

You need to make sure the fall leaves and spring seeds are removed from your gutter. All this material clogs them, and doesn't allow water to flow

While it's still warm, make sure your gutters are working properly.

Homeowners need to be inspecting their gutter system. Most older gutters have spike and ferrels which are those big long nails. A lot of time the gutters are loose they pulled away from the house the spikes have come out.

Also, check the seam along the back of the gutter. It's common for the seam to bulge. That's a sign that ice built up in your gutter and when it thawed water dripped toward your foundation not away from it.

If you have a bulge in the gutter seam, throw it in the trash and replace it.

If you're tired of constantly cleaning your gutters, you may want to try a gutter guard. Consumer Reports just reviewed them, and some come with heat strips to prevent ice from building up in the winter.

 

Think About a Deck...

Nearly every house -- and every style of house -- can benefit from a deck. Whether it's used primarily as -a retreat, to fill an awkward yard space, or as a spot for entertaining, a deck is multifunctional and can add architectural accent to a home. Those outdoor spaces can be clean-lined and contemporary or traditional with a flourish. Fauser Home Improvement can assist you in finding ideas in nearly every size and shape, as well as clever solutions to problems such as slope, multiple levels, and privacy needs. Multilevel spaces are a great way to entertain and create different outdoor rooms on your deck areas. Safety and beauty are two top-of-mind deck concerns; to give your deck a facelift, try a new railing that also maintains the most secure space possible. Give us a call for a FREE ESTIMATE by phoning or texting 309/792-3122.

5 Things to Know About Windows

1. Leaky and inefficient windows, skylights, and glazed doors account for more than 25 percent of the average household's energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. You can cut energy costs by as much as 15 percent by buying windows with double-pane insulated glass, heat-resistant coatings, airtight frames, and/or Energy Star ratings.

2. Cut noise with insulated or double-pane windows featuring 1/4 inch to 1 inch of air (or argon) between the panes. Wider air spaces and thicker glass reduce noise more.

3. Useful Life: Most manufacturers say windows should be replaced after about 20 years. Signs of a failing window include being sealed or painted shut, draftiness, and panes that collect condensation, ice, and frost.

4. Skylights provide 30 percent more light than vertical windows of the same size.

5. Add custom grilles to standard-size windows. Special grilles don't significantly boost a window's price, and you can even have grilles made based on a drawing or sketch. Ask a local retailer about the options and costs from various makers.

The Entry of Your Home

The natural focal point of the façade, the entry is often the site of the most dramatic changes. Entries can be enhanced or redefined in many ways. Give a boost to an underscaled or awkwardly proportioned entry by building an awning or extending the roof over the front door. Add some interest to it with a distinctive profile, such as a peaked or arching overhang. Two-story homes (and, if handled correctly, some single-story ones) can accommodate a covered porch. Consider including built-in seating; it's a real convenience and looks welcoming. If your home has a set of concrete steps at the door, face them with brick or stone. Don't forget the door itself. Replace it with a more fashionable style, perhaps complemented with a set of sidelights.

 

We offer FREE ESTIMATES, give us a call (309) 792-3122.

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Find us on Facebook to friend us. You can visit us online at www.FauserHI.com for company information. For a FREE ESTIMATE give us a call (309) 792-3122. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Upgrade Your Deck….With Railing

Railing can upgrade your deck in an instant adding a new look but also new support for safety.  Fauser Home Improvement suggests selecting low maintenance materials so you can spend more time enjoying your deck. We also encourage homeowners to add lighting to their deck enabling them to enjoy the outdoor space during evening hours. Want a Free Estimate? Phone Fauser Home Improvement at    (309) 792-3122.

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Get more information about Fauser Home Improvement by visiting our website at www.FauserHI.com.

What Project Should Homeowners Begin With...

Home renovation projects put a lot of pressure on property owners, often finding themselves in the situation of not knowing what to first invest in. Even though your house as a whole is pretty important, some parts of it make a better investment than others. Experts say that one of the main aspects you should have in mind when it comes to home improvement is buying new doors and windows. If you are one a tight budget and currently have money just for one of these operations, our suggestion is that you start looking for replacement windows. Replacement windows are energy efficient, increase curb appeal, and allow easy access for cleaning or simply getting fresh air. Let Fauser Home Improvement stop by to give you a FREE ESTIMATE, just call 309/792-3122.

How to Clean Your Vinyl Siding

Focus on cleaning your house in 3-foot to 4-foot sections, starting at the top, so you don't get overwhelmed or forget where you've already cleaned. Begin by spraying off loose dirt with a garden hose. Then, in a large bucket, combine 1/4 cup of laundry detergent and 4 gallons of water. You'll have to keep refilling your bucket with soapy water as you work your way around the house. Submerge a long-handled brush, mop or even a broom with a rag wrapped around the bristles in the sudsy water and scrub the siding. Keep the hose nearby to spray off the soap and loosened grime when you're finished scrubbing. Then move to the next section.

 

Replacing siding may be less expensive than you think, give us a call for a FREE ESTIMATE, 309/792-3122.

May is National Home Improvement Month

National Home Improvement Month is May and it's the ideal time to shine the spotlight on projects that can make a big difference to both the visual appeal and functionality of your home’s exterior. Start by looking from the top down on your home to determine what projects need to be tackled first. It may be time to add a new roof, replace your windows or door, or even spruce up your home’s exterior with new shutters or trim. All of these projects can add to the curb appeal and overall value of your home. Give Fauser Home Improvement a call for a FREE ESTIMATE on your project, (309) 792-3122.

Home Maintenance Timeline

Every six months

Clean your gutters

Change smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries

Check your fire extinguisher gauge

Once a year

Give your hot water heater and furnace a good check up

Check caulking around windows and doors

Make sure all windows and doors shut and lock completely

Clean your dryer vent

Pull covers off and vacuum all exhaust fans in kitchen and bathroom

Every two years

Make sure shingles are not loose, missing, or damaged

Every four years

Have your heat ducts cleaned

Every 5-10 years

Replace all caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows

Every 10-15 years

Replace entry doors

Replace bathroom vents

Every 15-20 years

Replace chimney cap

Replace roof

Our Website

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Spring Home Improvement Projects

Top 5 items homeowners typically do when spring approaches:

1. Put up a Fence

2. Wash your Siding and/or Deck

3. Clean your Interior and Exterior Windows

4. Organize and Clean your Garage

5. White Wash your Picket Fence

You can obtain a Free Estimate from Fauser Home Improvement by phoning 309/792-3122. Visit us anytime at http://www.fauserhi.com/ and friend us on Facebook!

Put a spark in the front door of your residence

The front door to the house should gleam, since it is the entryway to the inside. Polish the door fixtures surrounding light fixtures, and the door frame. Refinish or repaint the front door if necessary. Finally, remove any custom plaques or signs with the family name on it, and buy a plush doormat.

 

Reasons to Have Vinyl Siding Applied to Your Home

Reasons to install vinyl siding:

· You will never have to paint your house again

· Unlike wood or cedar, this durable plastic will not rot or flake

· Vinyl is available in several dozen colors, and can mimic architectural details that were once made from wood

It's no wonder that vinyl has become the most popular siding material in the United States and is quickly gaining momentum around the world. Call Fauser Home Improvement for a FREE ESTIMATE! (309)792-3122

Winter Storm Damage

A damaged home can feel like a heavy burden, there are some important strategies you can follow that will help you take care of your family and get the process started to repair your home.

Begin evaluating the damage, if your roof has been damaged then try to get temporary measures such as tarps to cover your home and prevent any further damage by the elements. If you have had doors or windows damaged, then cover those openings with plywood to prevent intruders and keep out the elements. If the water pipes in your home are damaged then turn off the house water supply. If the power is off in your area, then turn off your main power breaker to prevent a surge to your home appliances when the power comes back on.

Schedule the adjuster to come look at your home as soon as possible. Begin to line up contractors to get the necessary repairs done to your home immediately. Quick repairs are essential to getting your house back to normal. Do as much of the repair and cleanup work yourself that you can.

Call Fauser Home Improvement and we will be happy to stop by. We will give you a FREE ESTIMATE and walk you through the repair process. 309/ 792-3122

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.

Ice Dams

An ice dam is a build up of ice at the edge of the roof. It is called a dam, because the build up is large enough to dam up some water behind it. Sometimes even the best roof designs can get them. This winter it seems every roof has had one. But generally it is caused by a warm attic and cold eaves. That allows the snow to melt up on the roof over the attic, and then refreeze when the water reaches the eaves. The eaves are cold since they are not over the house, but are hanging out there in the cold. If the ice doesn't fall off the roof, and hangs on, then the water melting above, will build up behind the ice. Damage that can be done is water that is building up behind the dam can get high enough to get under the shingles and leak into the attic. It often shows up as water leaking from the window trim or wet spots in the ceiling close the walls. If it happens once it can stain your woodwork, and make those ugly water marks on your drywall. If it happens often it will rot the roof decking, and other framing members.
 

Adding insulation to your attic floor will help, not only will it cut down on ice dams but also cut back on your heating bill. Ventilation is important for many reasons. Key among them is the elimination of moisture that finds its way up to the attic. Moisture that makes its way to your attic will condense in the cold air. It will condense on your plywood roof decking and cause it to rot and it will pass up through the shingles causing them to fail years before they should.

Either you have a lot of insulation and ventilation and you still have ice dams, or, you have cathedral ceilings or a roof attic design that makes adding those impossible. In that case you can have an ice belt installed. An Ice Belt is Metal flashing installed all the way along the eaves and extends to the area of the roof above the attic. It covers the area where the ice will form. It serves two purposes, first it provides a surface which permits the snow and ice to just slide off preventing most dams. Second it provides a surface that water won't flow up under as it as it does with shingles.

As always give Fauser Home Improvement a call at 309*792-3122 or visit us anytime at www.FauserHI.com!

Window Condensation

Window condensation plagues many homeowners each winter. The source of condensation is invisible water vapor that is a component of the air inside your home. Condensation is what happens when water changes from a gaseous state to a liquid state. Water vapor turns into liquid water when it touches a cool or cold surface. Even new windows suffer from condensation. You can control condensation by monitoring the amount of water vapor you have in your home. To minimize condensation you can use a humidifier, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans (that discard air outdoors not into attic space), or use a fan to blow air onto the window condensation.

How Much Snow is Too Much for Your Roof

After the recent winter storm we received a lot of snow. Do you know how much a house roof can take? Is it time to start shoveling?

Your house was designed for a certain snow load which will depend on the area you live in. i.e. houses in areas expecting more snow will have stronger roofs... so we can't give you an answer that 3' is ok ... or too much.

If you are concerned, I like idea of a long snow shovel. Go to local hardware store and purchase a snow rake. They have a 20’ handle and you can simply pull the snow down! Fauser Home Improvement knows far too many people who have fallen off their roofs and seriously hurt themselves.

Don't forget to visit us at http://www.fauserhi.com/ or give us a call and let us know when to stop by and give you a FREE ESTIMATE on a home improvement project you have in mind 309/792-3122.

Visit Our Website

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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!

Tips for Winter Storms

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.

How and Should you Remove Snow from your Roof?

Snow up to a point is good for your heat bill as it does add an insulating factor but there can be a point where there is too much snow. How much is too much? About two feet of snow is too much! Although most roof’s in the Quad Cities area were built with the weight of snow in mind. Problems can occur if it rains when there is a lot of snow on the roof. The snow absorbs the water and gets a lot heavier. You can buy a “roof rake” at most home improvement stores and pull down the snow near the eaves. That will usually be enough to let water run off the roof.