He lives in Toronto, and I am safely ensconced in the suburbs but wanted to meet him in TO and trusted his suggestion of a place for dinner that was “loud and lots of fun, casual. not expensive and the food and beer are great!”.  The loud part worried me a bit, but it was just going to be him and I reminiscing, so I figured I could handle it.  A couple of casual tweets to the restaurant (@WVRSTbeerhall) about my upcoming visit and I was set.  They wrote back that they were looking forward to having me, and I replied that I fully expected hugs when I got there.

When I got downtown, I parked a little north of the restaurant and walked in to, well, a beer hall.  Long tables with chairs on either side, and some tables off to one side and yes, it was noisy, but a pretty swanky crowd, well dressed and everyone seemed to be having the time of their life!  I settled in to a table on the side with my friend, ordered a Canadian Craft Beer from their extensive list and got to the business at hand of catching up with an old friend.

He went to order our food (yes, you actually walk up to a window and see all the sausages laid in a row and order from an impressive array of sausage all made on site with fresh ingredients and a game list that blew my mind).  I ordered the elk with cumin and porcini and Dennis had the Rabbit. I sent off another quick Tweet to the restaurant saying that I was waiting for my hug .   Still waiting for Dennis I took in the ambience of the place, sipped my delightful beer, and noticed a tall man approach my table and ask if I was Sarah.  ”Apparently, I’m supposed to give you a hug” he said with a smile and I laughed.  And I got a great big hug from Bram, the General Manager.  As it turns out, the tweets for the bar go to the owner in Los Angeles, who called the restaurant and said that I was there, and was expecting a hug.  It gets better.  Chatted with Bram for a bit, and he assured me he would come back to check on our food.

Shortly after our food came, along with another great hug from the waitress and we tucked in to our meal.  GLORY BE.  I would not consider myself a sausage aficionado by any stretch, but this was the best sausage that I have ever tasted, bar none.  Fresh, flavourful, and not greasy at all.  Divine, with some caramelized onions and roasted peppers thrown on top, and a jalapeño for good measure.  Pure sausage heaven.  Handcut fries with two dipping sauces and this amazing beer to swish it all down.  Just damn good food and I was sold.  Bram came back and I asked when they were going to start selling the sausage on its own for me to take home, apparently, its in the works.  I will drive from Oakville for this meat.  It’s that good.

The icing on the cake was this little gem that I only noticed after I was finished my fries.  How flipping cool is that?  

If you are in the west end of Toronto anytime stop by this gem at 609 King Street West, Toronto and say “hi” to Bram and make sure you get one of his epic hugs, oh yes, and try the sausage.  You will thank me.  You’re welcome.

Camera Shy Sugar the cat

It’s two weeks (less a day) to the blessed day and my house needs to lose some weight.

The goal is simple.  100 items.  (paper clips don’t count as one item, besides, I will keep them )  Inspired by a friend on Twitter who was moving, and loving the fact that he was getting rid of 20 year old receipts and junk, I thought, 100 items…I could do that.  Are you up to the challenge?  Do you think that you could relieve areas of your home of trinkets, outdated items, clothing that doesn’t fit or just ISNT fit to wear?  What a great time to do it when you know that your house will be filled with more people, more stuff will be coming in, and you will have a great opportunity to help others at the same time.  Don’t forget the incredible feeling when things go out the door and your home is that much more organized.

In the not so distant past, I have had the need to shop in second hand stores (still do from time to time) and always appreciated that I could give my family a great Christmas, with lots of presents under the tree.  They didn’t know that the presents had been “pre-loved” but were always happy with the items that they received.  Kids toys, gently used clothing, home accessories can all be repurposed for another family who would be happy to use them, but don’t have the means to buy them.

So, off I go with a big green garbage bag, and a notepad (for counting of course!) to relieve my closet and office area of 100 pieces of “I don’t need this anymore”.   The cat?  She sleeps silently at my side as I write this… She is fluffy, and it has become the family joke when we clean out behind things, and vacuum up whats there (!) we find Sugar’s long lost cousin in a forgotten corner.  We’ll be gentle, we promise.

Will you be joining me?

Sarah

Is your window Broken?

Funny, when we started this business 4 years ago, we figured that we wouldn’t get one call for window repair after December 1st, until the early spring when people start opening windows again.  We were so wrong!  For some reason, people open their windows in the winter, just as much as in the spring and summer.  Our theories on this range from excessive cooking (and burning – hence window opening) to that awesome Canadian mentality that there is no air like fresh air – we agree!

But there are TWO panes of glass and moisture between them…what do we do?

We replace the thermal unit!  NO need to replace the whole window (but this is what a window company will tell you.)  Sorry peeps, we don’t sell windows  We repair them.  This is a bad word in the window sales business.  Want to know a secret?? 90% of problems with windows can be repaired by us.  For the 10%, yes, you will need new windows, but that is truly a last resort!

Broken window cranks.  Window opens but won’t close…Closes but won’t open…

Mark my words… (and please, quote me and test this theory) “we have not found a window crank yet that we could not replace and fix”. As my kids would say…True say!  Never happened.  We keep waiting to be stumped, but we love a challenge, and even when faced with the challenge from people that they have been “trying for years to get this fixed” we fix it.  We’re just awesome…I can say that cause we kinda are when it comes to window crank repairs.  If your crank doesn’t work, call us and we’ll get it working.  We usually ask you to send us one of these pics (below) that will allow us to being the right hardware to do the repair.

Proper measurement of window crank hardware

While your hardware might look the same, there are numerous different sizes and styles and having an image really helps.  If you can’t open the window, we understand.  If you can though, its super helpful!

Window hanging by a thread?  Wind ripped it off while it was open? No problem

Seriously, can you tell how much fun we have with this stuff?  Craziest call we had from a lady  in the Oak Park area of Oakville who had her THIRD floor window open on a windy day.  Wind darn near ripped that puppy off the house.  It was literally hanging at an angle by the top.  Shoulda taken a picture but I was not in the blogging frame of mind.  We fixed it.  Window reattached with new hardware and everybody happy.

Final words of wisdom… Ask yourself.  Do I want to pay $1000 to fix my window, or $200.  You decide.  289-242-8439.  Experienced, Insured, and Insanely good at what we do. Serving the Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington areas.

Stone tile accent wall in Oakville

From kitchen backsplashes to entire floors, to careful mosaic work and small repairs, Lakeshore Home Maintenance is your trusted source for tiling work.  Insured, quality work, and craftsmanship with every job, small or large.

Transform your room with tile

Thinking of updating a room without a full renovation?  While a kitchen like the one shown here is gorgeous, sometimes all we need is a splash of colour or texture and a change of wall colour to spruce up a room.  Thinking of selling?  Tile is a great way to make a change.  Travertine, marble, ceramic and glass tile can be used in combinations or alone to create dramatic effects in your home.

For someone who is considering a bathroom or basement renovation, heated floors under the tile are a great way to warm up a space, and surprisingly, can reduce your heating bill.  Something to consider if a tiled floor is in your future.  The cost to upgrade to heated floors is surprisingly reasonable and is a valuable selling feature when you go to resell your home.

If you are looking to renovate a bathroom, at Lakeshore Home Maintenance we recommend the Schluter Kerdi bathroom system, ensuring that the final result is a beautiful tiled shower/bath that will protect your home.  The Schluter system is a pliable sheet-applied bonded waterproof membrane.  Unlike traditional waterproofing, KERDI is bonded to the substrate and allows for the direct application of tile using the thin-set method.  This prevents moisture from infiltrating the mortar setting bed, thus reducing the risk of leakage, efflorescence, and mold growth in wet areas (e.g., showers, commercial kitchens, etc.).

If you live in the Oakville, Burlington or Mississauga area, and are looking to complete a tile project, or just have a small tile repair, call us today at 289-242-8439 to take care of this for you.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Broken fence in Oakville

Fence looking a little worse for wear?  Is it in danger of falling down?

If the fence on the left looks like yours, it does NOT need to be replaced!  Did you know that there is a company in the Oakville area that will repair your fence, no matter how small the problem?  One post broken? We will replace it and reattach your fence seamlessly.

One call to Lakeshore Home Maintenance is all it takes to have your fence repaired, new posts installed, lattice replaced or a broken gate fixed.  Call us today at 289-242-8439 to discuss your fence repair needs.  Fully Insured and WSIB compliant.

• Friendly, efficient service
• Local to Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington
• All work warranted for 2 years for labour and materials
• 100′s of satisfied local clients!

Call us today to book your fence repair before the winter sets in.  289-242-8439

Remember what is truly important

An open letter to all clients, friends, and future clients and friendsWith the spring this year came many challenges, not the least of which was an incredible rush of potential business from wonderful people looking for a solution to their home repair and maintenance needs.  Torrential rain led to window, door and roof leaks.  Near tornado like winds tore fences from their brackets and posts out of the ground.  Teases of warm balmy weather begged us to paint the outside of our homes, sand, clean and stain our decks, and budding spring bulbs and flowers led us to make big (and small) garden plans for cleanup and renewal.  Continued rain makes it more difficult to complete outdoor projects.

Here at LHM, we have been gracious, appreciative and as diligent as is humanly possible in keeping up with the influx of calls.  We are a family run small business that has some excellent partners and staff on our team, but even we are subject to life getting in the way. 

The recent and very sudden passing of a family friend has proven to “throw us for a loop” for lack of a better phrase.  Life has a funny way of making you realize that you need to slow down, take time, appreciate what you have, and reconnect with people in your life.   Keith and I always strive for as much balance as possible in our lives and want to ensure everyone that our business is extremely important to us, that our clients satisfaction is paramount to us and that we are committed to continuing to help you all with your home repairs and maintenance needs. 

This is an open letter to all of you, to ask for your patience as we do our best to service all our clients and potential clients in this extremely busy and emotionally difficult time. 

Sarah Taylor and Keith Childerhose

289-242-8439

Hm…interesting.  Back to said covert ops.  I called, asked a few questions, and found out that they are still alive and well and based out of Hamilton.  Nothing wrong with Hamilton…unless you live in Oakville or Mississauga and have something that needs someone there quick to fix it! 

We like to know who our competition is, and we do.  Mr. Handyman, Handyman Matters and Handyman Connection are all well respected big companies that have been in this business for a while.  Well, the time has come to bring out the gloves and show you all how we stack up.  

Repair leak from tile in shower

What is the LHM difference?

• Lakeshore Home Maintenance staff are bonded, insured, and WSIB compliant

• Our staff has a combined experience over 45 years in the industry.

•  All staff arrive wearing company shirts, and present a company business card to identify themselves.

• We offer a 120 day warranty on all workmanship, 1 year on all major renovations (and frankly, extend that in most cases if need be!)

• Our minimum service call is a whopping 42% less than theirs

• Phone consultation and free estimates over the phone.  If we cannot give you a ballpark estimate over the phone, we will not charge for an in home estimate.

• We are local to Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington and Milton.  Our offices are in Oakville and we are never more than 20 minutes from most customers.

• We have an active presence on Twitter (@LHMaintenance), Facebook, and through this blog.   We are real people, and are completely approachable!  Follow us , call us, tweet us…we are always here to answer your questions.  Check our Twitter page regularly for updates and savings!

• We are active and proud members of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce.

Contact Lakeshore Home Maintenance at 289-242-8439 when you have home repairs, small or large renovations, or general maintenance items to take care of in the Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington or Milton areas.  See for yourself what the difference is!

Grab Bars installed in the shower

Question? What exactly does Lakeshore Home Maintenance do???

In short…everything that you need done INSIDE your home, from home repair work, leak detection and repair, interior decorating, from drywall repair to kitchen renovations, from baseboard and casing installation to interior painting..

OUTSIDE of your home we take care of  exterior repairs, masonry work, eavestrough installation and repair, painting, stucco, siding, soffit, fascia as well as additions, roof repairs, roof replacements… the list is endless.

Many of you in the Oakville and Burlington area know us for one job that we did for you in the past.   What many of you don’t know, is that we can help you with all of your home repair, maintenance and improvement needs. 

We are the only phone number you need to keep on your fridge!  Reliable, Dependable, Insured, Qualified, and local.  If you have used us in the past, think of us for the future!  Let Lakeshore Home Maintenance manage your home projects, from beginning to end, with the best local skilled trades, craftsmen (and women!) and the quality and service you have come to expect. 

If you have not used us in the past, we invite you to call us today at 289-242-8439 to discuss your next home project, small or large.   We want to earn and keep your business, and will do whatever it takes to do just that.

Lakeshore Home Maintenance.  Taking care of your “to-do” list…inside and out. 

Lakeshore Home Maintenance can help you with any or all of these items.  Call us today at 289-242-8439 to ensure your home is ready for the winter. 

1. Before you use any fossil-fuel-burning appliance — such as a gas- or wood-fired furnace, stove, boiler or fireplace — the chimney, vent or flue needs to be inspected for blockages or damage. A damaged flue is hazardous and can lead to carbon-monoxide poisoning or, in the case of a fireplace or wood stove, a house fire. Hire a professional to inspect the venting systems.

 2. Change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors. Smoke alarms should be replaced every five years. 

3 . Visually inspect the roof and eavestroughs for signs of damage or leaks. Clean the eaves and extend the downspouts at least 6 feet from the home’s foundation. Roof repairs should be made before the temperatures drop and the damp weather makes proper repairs almost impossible.  

 4. Have the home’s heating system inspected and serviced for optimum operating efficiency and safety. If you heat your home with a gas- or oil-fired furnace or boiler, the flames and oxygen levels should be adjusted and the heat exchanger inspected for cracks or damage. Heat pumps need to be cleaned, and refrigerant levels checked by a qualified service technician. Fans, switches, capacitors, circuits and reversing valves also need to be inspected in operation. 

5. Change furnace filters. Why is this on a fall maintenance list? A dirty filter is the No. 1 cause of inefficiency for a forced air heating/cooling system. A dirty filter blocks airflow through the fan, which can damage not only the fan, but also the outside unit of a heat pump/air conditioner. In addition, a clean filter delivers cleaner, healthier air to the home.

6. On these cooler days, it would be a good idea to check the insulation in the attic. Heat rises, and a poorly insulated attic allows all that expensive warm air to escape through the roof. The summer storms can blow through an attic, creating huge piles of any type of loose-fill insulating materials. Use an extending paint pole with a roller attached to spread the loose insulation evenly. Call your local building official to see how much insulation is needed for your area, and add more if necessary. Approximately 95 percent of the attics we inspect need additional insulation just to meet minimum standards.

7. Inspect the openings around exterior windows, doors and any other crack or opening on the wall of the home. Homes constructed after 1980 should have a thermal barrier of insulation inside the walls, but cracks and openings on the outside allow cold air to bypass the insulation and cool the home. Caulk and seal any cracks you can safely reach. Remember, small holes at the base of some of your brick joints are drainage holes, and are supposed to be there!  Do not fill these.   Replace any cracked or broken glass.

Inspect Window frames for Rot

8. Remove garden hoses, and drain and store for winter. A hose left connected to an outside faucet can cause the faucet to freeze and break inside the walls of the home. Every time you use the faucet after it has been damaged, it will leak to the interior of the home. The leak will be out of sight and can, therefore, cause a lot of damage before the problem is discovered.  Bleed all exterior water lines after turning them off and opening them for the winter. 

9. Replace the outside light bulbs. If Murphy is right, and he usually is, your lights will go out under the least favorable conditions for replacement. Any light bulb that has a standard screw-in “Edison”base should be replaced with one of the newer CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs to save energy. 

10. Inspect the foundation crawlspace of your home. Problems with plumbing leaks, flooding, decayed wood, damaged insulation, pest entry, damaged ductwork, etc., often lurk in the crawlspace where no one wants to go.   

Call Lakeshore Home Maintenance today at 289-242-8439 to discuss getting your home ready for the winter.  2010 is supposed to be a cold one!  

Soffit repair in Oakville

Service: Is it still around? Does it matter?

Sometimes, its like being caught between a rock and hard place.  Clients need something done, they want the right job, the right price, and (we believe) the right service.  Tricky to get all three these days we are finding. 

Would you want the job done by someone who does not know what they are doing, but the price is right?  We are thinking not.  Would you want an excellent job done by someone who doesn’t respond to phone calls and charges you an arm and a leg?  Perhaps, but we’re thinking that the experience might be kind of empty. I guess there are other permutations of the scenario, but in general it comes down to price, quality and service. 

The challenge for us…

How to offer all three, keep everyone happy, and continue to grow our business to serve the Oakville, Burlington and Mississauga areas (and more!) for years to come?  Suggestions very much welcome.  

What we will do for you.

We will continue to serve our clients in the only way we know possible.  To offer the best service, before, during and after the job is done.  To do our work efficiently, effectively, safely, and for the agreed upon price or lower (unforseen circumstances notwithstanding).  We will be available by phone, email or text to answer your questions, and we will strive continually to ensure a positive experience for our clients. 

Lakeshore Home Maintenance – We want to continue to be the area’s premier Home Maintenance service for many years to come.   We take the concept of the handyman many steps further and offer you a full suite of services, fully insured, with $2 million in liability and full WSIB coverage.  Our pricing is highly competitive with our major brand name competitors, and our staff is experienced, friendly and they get the job done right for you.

Please call us today at 289-242-8439 to discuss your next home repair or renovation project.  We take care of your “to-do” list…inside and out.