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10 EASY WAYS TO INCREASE YOUR HOME’S CURB APPEAL

Andy — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:52:40 +0000

The outside of your home is the first thing to greet visitors and offer an impression of what may be inside. If it fails to inspire by the onset, it lowers expectations for the inside. Spring is the time to ramp up your curb appeal, so here is a list of 10 of the easiest things you can do to spruce up the exterior of your home on a low-budget.
1. Landscaping. Now is the time to take inventory of your homes landscaping. Visually inspect the areas needing maintenance. Prune bushes and shrubs, trees and plants. Weed flower beds and add fresh mulch. Create container gardens and use hanging baskets to add interest and dimension to an entryway.
2. Lawn Check. Reviving your lawn’s grass will instantly boost your curb appeal. Get rid of weeds sprouting in the sidewalk. Get rid of a tree that is blocking the view to your house.
3. Mailbox Makeover. A dingy, rusted or beat up mailbox is cheap to replace and makes a big difference in setting the tone for your house’s exterior. Make sure the style of your mailbox compliments the style of your house.
4. Squeaky Clean Siding. The elements take a toll on siding and it may require a good power washing to clean dirty or stained siding. Rent a power washer and hose down the exterior. You may need a ladder and some soft-scrub. Remember to spray downward as not to loosen any siding and don’t forget the gutters!
5. Perfect for Paint. It isn’t necessary to paint the entire house. Spruce it up by painting the trim and shutters if they have gotten chipped or discolored. Don’t forget the window frames, the porch and around the garage door.
6. Pay Attention to Small Details. It may seem minor, but little touches like new numbers on a house or a new light above the door improve the overall aesthetic of your home.
7. Spring Cleaning. Spring cleaning is not limited to the interior of your home. It’s time to clean out the gutters, wash the windows and move the garbage cans out of sight.
8. Welcoming Walkway. Brick or stone can create an elegant walkway leading up to your home. Try applying a colored concrete surface to an old driveway, then edging with brick or stone pavers. Using symmetry at the entrance is a simple and effective way to increase curb appeal.
9. Light it Up. Adequate lighting at night is a way to add security as well as highlight the architectural elements of your home. Landscape lighting can provide path lighting along a walkway, while porch lights should illuminate the main entrance. Coach lights on each side of the garage are an added touch.
10. Front Door. The front door is an important focal point of the home. If it has been neglected, consider refinishing, painting or replacing it. New hardware to replace rusted handles or an outdated lock set also makes a huge impact!

12″ Floor Tiles Make Small Spaces Appear Larger

Andy — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:59:00 +0000

DIY in One Weekend (Handyman in St. Louis)

Andy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:29:22 +0000

As summer draws to a close, home owners have home improvement on their mind. If you have been avoiding your do-it-yourself list for fear that home improvement projects will take up too much time, here is a list of projects that can be done in a single weekend.
Replace House Numbers…with oversize numbers in a style that compliments your home’s architecture.
Put Out a Welcome Mat….You can change it with the seasons or use it to show your individuality.
Clean Up The Landscaping…by seeding bare spots in the lawn and pruning overgrown foundation plantings.
Paint The Front Door…Consider a bold color such as high-gloss red, forest green, or black to call attention to the entry or compliment a color on the trim.
Hang a Door Knocker… You can choose from classic designs, bold rings or whimsical motifs.
Put Up Window Boxes… Wood boxes can be customized with paint or stain; synthetic boxes require no maintenance.
Add Some Potted Plants…near the door and along walkways.
Replace the Doorknob… If you stick to the same size as the existing handle, it’s an easy DIY job.
Upgrade the Lighting… A hanging or wall-mounted fixture near the door is like jewelry, and lighting in the yard adds interest as well as security.
Replace the Mailbox…or touch up the rust spots with paint.

Just a few more helpful do it yourself tips from the best handyman in St. Louis. Call us if you need any help.

Easy Home Repairs From the Handyman in St. Louis

Andy — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:50:18 +0000

Fix a loose door hinge. If the door is shaky, the hinge may be stripped. Spend a few dollars on a “stripped screw-hole repair kit.” Put the metal mesh in the hole, then insert a longer screw. You could save big bucks on new hardware, weather stripping, and even a new door frame later on.
Replace the central air/furnace filter. Make sure the filter is the correct size for the unit and that it isn’t clogged with dust. Regularly changing or cleaning the filter allows the unit to heat and cool your home more efficiently. Make sure to buy an upgraded “heppa” filter or double up on the regular ones for better filtration.
Replace traditional light bulbs with energy efficient ones, called compact fluorescent lighting. They’re more expensive, but can last up to 10 times longer than conventional bulbs. If you replace five light bulbs with CFL’s, you could save up to $60.00 a year.
Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI’s). Identify electrical outlets near kitchen or bathroom sinks and replace them with GFCI’s tp protect you and your family members from possible electrical shocks.
Replace an old shower head with a new energy-saving, low-flow one. Showers account for 17% of indoor household water use. A new shower head is good for both the environment and your water bills.
Replace you old “big gulp” toilet with a new water saving model.
Replace fence boards. Missing or damaged boards weaken a fence-and your relationship with the neighbors. Check the entire fence and note how many new boards you’ll need, as well as the height and width of each. Make sure to use galvanized screws that won’t rust.
Adjust your water heater temperature to 120*F. You’ll save money and still be able to clean your clothes and bathe without scalding yourself. Insulate your water heater with a water heater blanket. They come pre-cut and will help to keep the water hot, thus saving energy and money.
Keep your gutters and downspouts cleaned out to prevent interior water damage. Install a downspout extender out into the yard to disperse the rain water or install a barrel for collecting rainwater to use in your landscaping or garden.
These are just a few money and energy saving tips from the best handyman in St. Louis.
If any of these projects proves to be too much work, just call Andy’s Home and Business Repair for a free estimate!

St. Louis Handyman’s Tips on Un-sticking a Drawer

Andy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:48:50 +0000

This is how to handle a solid wooden drawer that sticks: Slowly move it in and out to “feel” where it’s catching (on one side? along the bottom?). Or pull out the drawer and look for friction marks on the edge or bottom.
Set the drawer on a stable work surface. With 100-grit sandpaper wrapped around a wood block, smooth the sticking spot until some dust is created. Replace the drawer, slide to see if it’s no longer catching. If it is, repeat until the drawer glides freely.
To keep out the moisture that causes swelling and then sticking, seal the drawer, inside and out (though skipping the front), with a coat of polyurethane.
If the swelling is minor, you may be able to get away with just lubricating the drawer-no sanding required. To start, take the drawer completely out and set it on your work surface.
Run a bar of plain soap (like Ivory) or a candle, or a stick of paraffin-any of the three should work well-along the glide or glides on the bottom or sides of the drawer, and along any mating pieces inside the furniture. Also rub some on the edges of the drawer’s sides and bottom.
Replace drawer and move it in and out to work in the lubricant and be sure it’s fixed the problem.

Eco-Friendly Landscaping Strategies

Andy — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:13:18 +0000

Save some green this season with these budget and eco-friendly landscaping strategies from the St. Louis Handyman….
Use a rain barrel to collect water for your lawn and outdoor plants.
Ditch old gas guzzling outdoor power equipment for battery operated or manual gear.
Choose solar powered landscape lighting over electricity-draining illumination.
Incorporate more hardscaping features into outdoor spaces to reduce your watering and mowing requirements.
Build a raised garden bed to grow your own fresh produce.
And always call the St. Louis Handyman for any of your “handy” projects!

St. Louis Handyman on Outdoor Shower

Andy — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:40:34 +0000

August 3, 2009
Hot August, Cool Shower
An outdoor shower is cool for a pool, dock or beach place — and especially for camping.

But it’s even cooler (literally) during these dog days of summer when you’re so sweaty and dirty from working in the yard, on the roof, in the hayloft, in the shop, wherever. You’re filthy and you don’t dare drag all your grime into the bathroom. So you shower in the shade of the old apple tree. Aaaah!

Your outdoor shower could be as simple as draping a hose over a tree limb and turning on the water. Cold but refreshing in August.

More sophisticated hot-and-cold-water units are available as well. Some use solar power to warm the water, some use electric power, and some use propane to fuel a tankless water heater. There are even units that use a standard outdoor-grill propane tank and connect to a garden hose.

And don’t forget that tankless water heaters are excellent for indoor point-of-use purposes too.

Handyman in St. Louis on Cellphone Recycling

Andy — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:39:58 +0000

When consumers upgrade to the latest model of cellphone, they rarely recycle their old handsets. If they did, we could reduce hazardous waste in landfills and save enough manufacturing energy to power more than 18,500 U.S. households for a year, according to the EPA, which estimates that just 10% of the million cellphones replaced each year are recycled.
Cellphones can contain dangerous substances like lead and chromium, as well as valuable metals like copper and easily reusable plastics. Industry officials have been trying for years without success to get consumers to recycle their old phones. Now, the government is getting involved. At least 19 states have enacted laws regarding the disposal of electronic devices, a trend the industry fears will lead to a patchwork of regulations, including some that would make manufacturers responsible for their products from cradle to grave. Some of the biggest cellphone makers-Nokia, Motorola, LG, Sony, Ericsson, and others-are working with the EPA to encourage recycling.
Why are consumers so reluctant to recycle cellphones? Apparently, size matters. It’s not like a giant computer screen or television that’s taking up space in the garage. Cellphones can be dropped off for recycling at virtually any service provider’s location. Yet it is estimated that more than 1 billion used cellphones have made their way into landfills or are collecting dust in America’s closets and drawers.
The St. Louis Handyman thinks we should all make a concerted effort to live green and recycle whenever possible. This includes cellphones. Remember, for every recycled item, you are preserving America for future generations. Think Green! Recycle!

Handyman in St. Louis Helpful Hint

Andy — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:18:46 +0000

Visually increase the square footage of your home without demolition. A single large mirror adds perceived depth. Full view glass doors as well as de-cluttering lend to the feel of a spacious, more open room. We can install the sliding glass doors as well as hang any mirrors and help you with the decoration advice, to make YOUR space a better place!

Tip of The Day From St. Louis Best Handyman

Andy — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:09:35 +0000

Update your ceilings. Remove the popcorn texture that dates your home and add crown molding or box beams for a custom look. DIY with materials from you local hardware store, or hire us. We are experts with drywall! (The best handyman in St. Louis!)