Houston Home Maintenance Tips

Looking for Natural Ant Control Solutions at your Houston Home?

John Moore — Thu, 31 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Ants are one of Summer's most notorious pests, particularly in Texas. An estimated $300 million is spent on fire ant control in the Lone Star State every year.

No matter how hard we try, we'll never be able to keep ants away 100% of the time, but we can deter them from invading our homes and making a meal out of our pantry stock .. and us.

Did you know .. ? Numerous natural ant repellents have been known to keep the critters and their painful bites at bay. Here are some favorite natural ant control techniques:

White pepper, black pepper, and cayenne pepper
Sage or bay leaf
Cinnamon or mint
Curry powder
Talcum powder or chalk
Boric acid mixed with sugar to draw in the ants
Vinegar, which can be used to wipe down surfaces on which the ants have left a trail. Ants are also turned off by the smell of vinegar.
Cucumber and other citrus peels

Paired with repellents, caulking cracks and crevices, particularly in your kitchen or wherever your ant infestation is, can help keep ants out to begin with. If you saw our recent post on re-caulking bathroom joints, you can apply those same techniques in your kitchen.

DIY efforts not working against the Summer onslaught of ants? Call us right away for Houston ant control services, and we'll put a stop to the problem before it gets out of hand.

Give your Houston Home a Facelift with 2012's Hottest Interior Colors

John Moore — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Re-painting is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to renovate your home. With a few coats of paint, you can add value to your home, create a new mood, and express yourself in a whole new way. Even if you're not interested in murals, stripes, or anything eccentric, your new paint choices can add all kinds of color and excitement to your life.

2012 Interior Color Trends

While you're certainly not limited to what's most popular, noting trends can draw your attention to colors you may not have considered. So, what's in style for 2012? Perennial neutral grays and browns are ever-popular for their grounded, go-with-everything qualities. Accompanying them are ocean blues, sunset-worthy oranges, and earthy brown and olive variations. According to Benjamin Moore, the single most popular shade for 2012 is "Wythe Blue" (seen above), chosen for its calming yet classic feel.

Complement your New Paint Colors

No matter what colors you ultimately choose, you can update the rest of your home to complement your new paint choices without having to throw out all your furniture and start from scratch.

Here are some of our favorite post-paint-job home renovation ideas:

Re-paint or install new baseboards, chair rails, or crown molding to help your new wall colors stand out more.
Switch out your window coverings. If your new wall color is a light color or a neutral, opt for a brighter-colored curtain. If you chose a vibrant color for your wall, stick with traditional white, beige, or other neutral window treatment.
Upgrade kitchen and bathroom hardware with shiny new modern styles.
Have your carpets and hard floors cleaned. Nothing makes a floor look dirtier than fresh new walls!
Add lighting to rooms that are in suffering from darkness. Lighting adds unparalleled ambience to any room, and additional lights or upgraded fixtures can amaze you with the change.
If you're particularly picky about everything matching just right, you can upgrade your kitchen appliances to coordinate with your new wall color. Better still if you're ditching old energy-hogging appliances for modern, efficient alternatives!

Complement your new wall colors with sophisticated crown molding or chair rails to dress up your dining room. Schedule a design consultation with our Houston home renovation contractors today.

Exterior Home Painting Tips to Boost your Houston Home's Curb Appeal

John Moore — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

If there's ever a time when looks matter, it's when you're trying to sell your home. Truly, no one expects your home to have exotic landscaping imported from overseas or siding dipped in gold. But curb appeal is huge when attempting to attract potential buyers, and a fresh coat of paint can turn a blah house into the talk of the neighborhood.

Exterior painting is understandably more complicated than interior painting. When preparing to begin a DIY exterior painting project, keep in mind:

Quality tools = quality paint job. Invest in great paint, great brushes, and great rollers, and you'll notice a huge difference. The best paints also dry more quickly, saving you waiting time.
Take your time. Just like rushing through that spelling test in sixth grade or your grandma's cake recipe you thought you could finish in half the time by doubling the oven temp, patience is a virtue. Avoid mistakes and ensure a smooth coat by going slowly. Plus, you don't want to have to call in a professional to re-do your work, right?
Don't skip steps. Working on a clean, dirt-free surface is imperative, so clean before you paint. Primers and topcoats are also necessary. Don't rush through the process by skipping these items, or you (and potential home buyers) will notice. Trust us.
Don't paint in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause the paint to dry too quickly and even crack. Heavy winds can cause similar problems, so wait until milder weather to begin painting. And if the forecast calls for rain, don't bother setting up the ladder.
Work from the top down. Don't forget shutters, window frames, gutters, and eaves. They'll need to be painted to match your new look, too.
Have mildew? Don't just paint over it. Get rid of it, or it will be back.

What better way to showcase your home's new exterior paint job than with custom landscape lighting to put your home's best foot forward? Speak to a Houston residential landscape lighting professional today.

How much money are you wasting on your water bills?

John Moore — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

So, you've conducted your home energy audit. Now it's time to do the same with your home's plumbing systems. Finding time to perform home maintenance tasks to improve cost-efficiency is easier said than done, of course. Everyone's busy, and how much could you possibly be wasting anyway?

You might be surprised.

A running toilet can waste 1-2 gallons per minute. This amounts to tens of thousands of extra gallons per month the toilet is left unfixed.
A leaky faucet that drips once a second wastes about 5-10 gallons per day.
A traditional shower head (versus an efficient low-flow head) uses almost three times as many gallons of water. A ten-minute shower with a low-flow shower head should cost you around $0.10 while the old style version will cost you about $0.30.
Low-flow toilets use just 1.6 gallons per flush. Older models use between 3.5 and 7 gallons per flush, depending on when the toilet was manufactured. This means you'll at worst save 50% and at best 75% if you upgrade to low-flow.
Consider that toilet in your house that doesn't always properly flush -- you know, the one you have to flush multiple times to effectively remove all waste. Now consider how many gallons each flush is costing, and double that amount.
Accidentally leave that sprinkler on overnight, and you're looking at thousands of gallons of water wasted in just one night .. not to mention a flood in your back yard.

Your cost per gallon will vary based on where you live, of course, but just like with electricity, it's the little things that add up and make a huge difference on your bill. Audit your home's plumbing systems to check for leaks, and educate your family on being diligent about conserving water.

Request Houston plumbing estimates on all your repair projects, and drop your bills right away.

Are you composting everything you can?

John Moore — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Everyone's looking to be more "green" these days, and for good reason. Composting is a highly effective way to reduce waste in our landfills and give our food scraps and lawn cuttings a second life. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yard trimmings and food scraps equate to about 27% of our total garbage output in the U.S. With a few minutes a week, we could dramatically reduce our collective landfill waste. Sounds great, right?

Whether you've already begun composting or have decided to make it your Summer resolution, it's important to know what is and what isn't compostable.

Did you know .. ? All of the following are compostable:

Fruit and vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds and tea bags (or loose leaf tea)
Leaves, grass, straw, flowers, and shrub clippings
Newspaper and shredded paper (non-glossy, non-colored)
Cardboard (chopped into smaller pieces)
Eggshells

Rule of thumb: the smaller and more chopped-up the items are that you throw in the composter, the more easily and quickly they will decompose.

A friendly reminder of items to avoid dropping into your compost bin:

Cooking oils, grease, fish, and meat products
Salad dressings and other condiments
Cooked foods
Any form of human or pet waste, including kitty litter and biodegradable diapers (gross, we know, but a common misconception)
Milk and other dairy products
Chemically-treated plants and wood
Coated, glossy paper products
Ashes
Diseased plants (remember, you're making soil for future plants; don't feed them with the remnants of sick ones!)

Interested in "greenifying" your home even more? Find out about our Houston green remodeling services, and call us for a free quote.

Keep your Family Safer this BBQ Season with Fire Prevention Awareness

John Moore — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Did you know .. ? The leading cause of home fires involves accidents during food preparation. With barbecue season fast approaching, now’s the time to educate yourself and your family on fire prevention techniques to ensure a safe, fun Summer.

Download our free whitepaper, “Common Causes of Home Fires & How to Prevent Them," to get started.

Why Crabgrass is Hurting your Houston Home's Resale Value

John Moore — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Curb appeal is important, especially in a buyer's market. While you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on exotic landscaping to attract potential buyers (and most people would actually be turned off if you did .. who wants to inherit that kind of upkeep?), you will be expected to have a well-kept lawn.

So, how does crabgrass fit into the equation? Crabgrass truly isn't bad for your lawn. It's just, well, grass. But the one major difference of note between crabgrass and Bermuda or St. Augustine, popular choices for Houston homeowners, is that crabgrass is an annual grass. What does this mean? This means your yard will look great in Spring and early Summer while the grass is alive and kicking. But come late Summer and Fall, you'll likely find patchy, brown spots in your yard where the crabgrass has died, only to be reborn from the seeds it spends the late Summer spreading when the following Spring hits.

Preventing crabgrass from overtaking your yard can be as simple as:

Not mowing your lawn too short (aim for 3.5-4 inches in height)
Re-seeding any damaged areas or brown patches you find in your yard (if you plant something else, you'll reduce the number of places crabgrass has to sprout!)
Not overwatering (aim for no more than twice a week to prevent all those little crabgrass seeds from sprouting in your soil)
Pulling out existing crabgrass by hand (if you only notice a few instances of crabgrass, this is an easy solution)
Using chemicals to kill existing crabgrass (an easier solution if your lawn is overrun with crabgrass)

Lawn care is not everyone's favorite household task, we know. But preventive measures and maintenance can make keeping a tidy yard much easier. And when you're ready to sell your home, you won't have to shell out tons of money to have new grass installed. More importantly, you won't have to lose out on potential buyers because of a sad-looking yard.

Are pests your yard's biggest problem? If your lawn is being ravaged by insects or pesky small animals, we can help. Schedule in-home service with our Houston pest control company today.

Termite Statistics: Learn more about Houston's Most Costly Pest

John Moore — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

For such a small pest, termites inflict incredible damage on homes throughout the United States. Due to a rather mild Winter, pest control companies in Texas are noting greater instances of termite infestations, making regularly-scheduled pest inspections more important than ever.

Find out more about every homeowner's most notorious pest, the termite:

Termites eat approximately 2-3% of their body weight daily.
Because termite colonies can have hundreds of thousands, even millions, of members, that 2-3% can equate to a significant portion of your home each and every day they stick around.
It is estimated that termites damage over half a million American homes annually.
This damage costs over $5 billion in repairs and restoration every year.
While termites are not opposed to colder areas of the country, they do tend to be more often found in warmer climates like the American South (yes, including Southeast Texas).
The USDA estimates $1-2 billion in annual consumer spending on prevention and repairs related to Formosan subterranean termites.
Termite fumigation can cost as little as $1000 or as much as several thousand, depending on the square footage of the home.
The average homeowner suffering from a termite problem will spend around $3000 in repairs and remediation.

The longer you wait after noticing a termite infestation, the more damage the colony can inflict. Time, therefore, is of the essence. Whether you're dealing with an existing termite problem or are looking for peace of mind from a professional inspection, we can help. Schedule in-home service with our Houston termite exterminators today.

Save Big on Energy in Houston: Conduct a DIY Home Energy Audit

John Moore — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Ah, good ol' Summer. We Houstonians both love and despise the hottest months of the year. Swimming, barbecues, and longer days are great, naturally, but the heat and higher electric bills, not so much.

Last week, we discussed the importance of an annual A/C inspection. But your A/C's effectiveness is only part of your home's overall energy-efficiency, and there are numerous other elements of your home that contribute to how hard your A/C must work to keep you cool.

Let's look at some of the top strategies for conducting a DIY home energy audit:

Energy Vampires: All of those appliances and electronics that are plugged in but aren't in use still leech power and amount for as much as 8% of your annual energy spend. Unplug video game consoles, cell phone chargers, kitchen appliances, and other devices when not in use.
Lighting: The latest and greatest energy-efficient light bulbs use as much as 75% less energy than traditional incandescents. Because lighting accounts for around 10-15% of a typical home's energy consumption, those savings will be noticeable.
Air Leaks: Air leaks can account for as much as 1/3 of your monthly energy bills. Yep, 1/3. As your home settles, gaps can form around windows, doors, even light switches and electrical outlets. All of these seemingly innocuous gaps cause your A/C to have to work harder to compensate for all the warm air coming in through all those spaces. Filling them in with caulking or installing fresh weatherstripping can help keep your room temperature more comfortable and your A/C calmer.
Appliances: Energy-efficient appliances nowadays are quite impressive. An energy-efficient washer and dryer set, for example, can save from 75-90% on energy consumption compared to older non-efficient models. Because of this, many energy-efficient appliances actually pay for themselves in their combined energy savings, meaning you're pocking potentially hundreds of dollars every year. Even if you're not ready to replace your older appliances, make sure they're in tip-top shape. Clean out vents, keep the area around your appliances dust and debris-free, and lower the temperature settings on your fridge and freezer. And remember to keep that fridge / freezer door closed!
Insulation: Few things can cause more stress and strain on your air conditioner than poor insulation throughout your home. Not sure if your home is lacking insulation? A professional insulation assessment can help you identify opportunities to boost your home's ability to block out heat, greatly reducing your energy bills. For example, radiant barrier can limit the amount of heat transfer from your roof to your attic and, therefore, to the rest of your home.
Monitor your results: Comparing one month to the next won't tell you much, but lining up the numbers from one year to the next can be telling. Create a spreadsheet or keep a notebook nearby, and record your costs and your consumption. You'll be amazed at how even the smallest changes can add up over time!

If you've exhausted all your DIY efforts and are still paying more than you think you should, schedule a professional Houston energy audit today, and start saving.

Kicking House Flies out of your Houston Home for Good

John Moore — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Ah, the good ol' house fly. One of the least-threatening yet most annoying household pests .. not to mention the most difficult to swat!

While you can certainly affect house fly populations in and around your home, your neighbor's lifestyle may be less stringent than yours. (If you've ever suffered from a roach problem due to your apartment neighbor's lack of cleanliness, you know exactly what we mean.) Therefore, you can't expect to eliminate all house flies completely, but reducing their numbers and the annoyance they cause is an achievable goal.

Here are some preventive measures you can take to avoid house flies or reduce existing infestations:

Old school fly swatters still do the trick! Of course, if you're one of the cool kids, you can opt for an electric fly swatter, leaving less mess to clean up afterwards.
Don't leave food sitting around, particularly sweets. Decaying food is softer and therefore easier for house flies to eat, so cleaning up outdoors after a party and washing dishes every day is vital.
Clean up pet waste. Regular scooping of your pet's poo can help send house flies packing.
If you're hosting a party, have your guests keep their food covered to prevent flies from taking a bite. When a house fly touches your food, he transmits whatever he ate previously, making him a conductor of all kinds of bacteria and germs.
Ignore the spiderwebs in your back yard. Unless your home is beginning to resemble a scene from "Arachnophobia," remind yourself that spiders are a natural predator of the house fly as well as numerous other insects. Those webs in your trees and around your home's exterior are actually aiding in your pest control efforts.
Keep lids on compost piles, trash cans, and other means of disposal. If you recycle, thoroughly wash and rinse your recyclables to prevent flies, gnats, ants, and about a million other types of pests from finding a snack in or near your home.

House flies driving you crazy this Spring and Summer? Our professional Houston exterminators are on the job when you need us to handle the peskiest warm weather pests. Call today.

Is your Houston home falling victim to poor lawn care?

John Moore — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Some of us are blessed with a “green thumb.” We love spending time in our yards, maintaining our lawns, growing exotic plants and produce, and impressing our friends and neighbors. The rest of us, however, can think of few ways we’d rather spend our weekends less than pulling weeds in our flowerbeds and edging our lawns. And, if we’re honest, without a homeowners association looking over our shoulders, we would probably care even less than we already do.

Since proper lawn care is vital to keeping pests, leaks, and foundation problems at bay, it's important to at least be aware of how our yard maintenance habits (or lack thereof) have an effect on our homes. Learn more from our complimentary whitepaper, "How Can Proper Lawn & Garden Care Affect my Home?"

What can go wrong if I don't have my A/C unit inspected?

John Moore — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:00:00 GMT

If you own a home in Houston, you've probably seen about a thousand ads in your mailbox from service providers offering annual A/C inspections .. and for good reason. For starters, none of us wants to suffer through Houston's hottest months without our trusty air conditioners to ease the pain. Moreso, we know that if we maintain our air conditioning unit, it will continue working for us much longer than if we ignored it and just hoped for the best. No one wants to shell out thousands of dollars for an A/C replacement because of a lack of maintenance, right?

Here are some common A/C problems faced by those who neglect to schedule annual A/C inspections:

Energy-efficiency declines at a rate of about 5% per year the unit is not serviced. Take a look at your next electric bill, and do the math.
Your home will feel more humid with an under-maintained A/C. We experience enough humidity in Houston; why would we want our air conditioners to contribute to that misery?
Dirty A/C coils can cause more than just a lack of energy-efficiency. They can block heat transfer so much that the unit can't cool enough to convert the hot gas back to liquid. This leads to an air conditioner that runs but doesn't properly cool, meaning you'll feel compelled to drop your thermostat in an attempt to compensate. Until you have the coils cleaned, though, you can continue to expect warmer-than-usual indoor temps. Not good, especially by mid-July!
Without adequate amounts of freon, your A/C will have to work harder to cool your home. An A/C inspection can ensure you have as much coolant as you need.
Dirty filters also force your system to work harder than it needs to. So, don't be cheap; replace your filters regularly, and enjoy lower electric bills all year long.
While rare, air conditioner fires do happen. A number of factors from faulty wiring to power surges that overheat the unit to mechanical failures are possible but are greatly reduced when professional A/C maintenance is performed annually.

If we were to ask who out there still needs to have their A/C inspected before Summer, and you'd have to raise your hand, there's no need to hang your head in shame. We're all looking to save a few bucks, and life does get busy. However, this is one maintenance task you definitely don't want to overlook, even just this one year.

Give us a call to schedule Houston A/C inspection services today. We can ensure your air conditioner is in tip-top shape and will serve you well during another Summer of potentially scorching temps.

Residential Skylights Add Energy-Efficiency & Ambiance in Houston

John Moore — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Despite all the wonderful technological advancements that come out every year, it seems we still end up spending more time indoors than we'd like. Countless studies have indicated the importance of sunlight to our health, but for many of us, our career choices, health concerns, and numerous other situations leave us lacking many options when it comes to spending adequate time outdoors. The good news: skylights can add value and comfort to our homes while giving us our much-needed Vitamin D fix.

Skylights provide Houston homeowners a number of value-added benefits, including:

Electricity costs money. Sunlight is free.
Improved health, providing sunlight to combat Seasonal Defective Disorder, particularly in people who can't get outside much.
Your home's rooms stay lit, even when the electricity is turned off.
Reduced electric consumption means skylights are a great "green" choice, helping the environment every year they're installed.
Skylights let in more sunlight than traditional windows of the same size.
During colder months, skylights can help warm your home, reducing your dependency on your furnace and greatly lowering heating bills.
Skylights pay for themselves within a few years in reduced energy costs.
Skylights are an eco-friendly alternative for office buildings, schools, and other commercial institutions as well as residential homes.

To learn more about the benefits of installing skylights in your home, and to find out what styles are right for you, speak to a representative about our Houston skylight installation services today.

Garage Door Spring Replacement Safety Tips

John Moore — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

If you use your garage door on a regular basis, you naturally subject it to normal wear, rusting, and stress and strain. A broken garage door spring can cause all kinds of headache and hassle and should therefore be repaired as soon as possible to avoid calamities.

While most people would, for good reason, opt to hire a professional garage repair technician, more adventurous (i.e. experienced) homeowners may be able to repair a broken garage door spring while practicing a number of precautionary measures. Here are some things to consider if you choose to undertake this somewhat dangerous project yourself:

First and foremost, do not attempt to run your garage door opener while you have a broken garage door spring.
Make sure to wear gloves and safety goggles at all times.
Make sure to turn off your garage door opener, and remove cars and other expensive items from your garage before attempting to replace a broken garage door spring.
Note what kind of garage door you have, its size, and the exact dimensions of the spring you'll be replacing. It's imperative that you replace your broken spring with the right item, or you'll likely cause your opener to malfunction.

Keep in mind, of course, that a garage door can weigh hundreds of pounds. Having that come crashing down on your cars or, worse, whomever is working on the spring replacement with you would obviously be a horrendous experience. Therefore, unless you're a seasoned veteran at garage door repairs, we recommend you hire a professional to ensure your safety and that of your belongings.

Need help with your garage repair project? Contact Houston's garage renovation experts at John Moore Services for a free quote today.

Are you investing in the right home improvement projects?

John Moore — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:19:00 GMT

Any responsible real estate professional or veteran homeowner will tell you that investing in home renovation projects is integral to future resell efforts. But which projects actually add value to your home, and which ones will end up costing you more than you'll ever recoup?

Download our free whitepaper, "Home Renovation Projects that Don't Add Value to your Home," for tips on investing in your home.

Grasshoppers in Texas: a Common Warm-weather Pest

John Moore — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

As the warmest months of the year approach, we Houstonians vividly recall the scorching drought brought on by last Summer. We often take measures to prevent the pests that seek refuge in our homes during times of heavy rain, but there are numerous problem pests that do the most damage during the hottest, driest times of the year. Grasshoppers are on that list.

What causes grasshopper populations to grow?

Late Spring and early Summer are when the masses of grasshopper eggs begin to hatch, and while regular moisture can keep grasshopper populations within reason, droughts like last year's can allow them to grow exponentially. One reason is fungus; without moisture on the ground, fungus can't grow. And since fungus is a natural killer of grasshoppers, the grasshopper populations continue to rise during dry months. Other predators of grasshoppers include certain types of beetles, nematodes, birds, snakes, and even possibly your neighbor's cat. Cilantro is a common "barrier crop" used to protect existing vegetation from grasshopper attacks.

Moreover, grasshoppers travel quickly in great numbers. They can "jump" up to 15 miles per day, meaning they can wreak havoc in one area and move on to the next town in search of more food.

Signs of a grasshopper infestation include:

Chewed up vegetation, such as holes in grass, plant leaves, lettuce, and other leafy greens and produce
Dark-colored droppings on or near the damaged plants
Grasshoppers also eat the tissue of a plant, not just the leaves. This means that plants, fruits, and flowers may not fully develop, assuming they survive a grasshopper attack.

Grasshoppers may not devastate your home's lawn and garden the way they can a commercial field, but protecting yourself can help diminish the damage to your own plants plus the rest of your neighborhood. If you've noticed damage from grasshoppers at your home, try keeping any vegetables or other plants you're growing covered with a mesh cover, allowing light and air to get through but not pests.

If pests are taking over your lawn and home this Spring and Summer, contact the Houston pest exterminators at John Moore Services.

Maintain your Washer & Dryer with 10 Simple Tips

John Moore — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Purchasing new appliances may not be as glamorous as buying a shiny new SUV or booking a luxury vacation, but we certainly get more value out of our appliances than our non-essentials. Therefore, maintaining our home's appliances is the best preventive measure we can perform to keep them running for years to come.

Our washing machines and clothes dryers are often our most utilized home appliances. Here are 10 simple tips for maintaining your trusty appliances:

Dispose of lint prior to running a new load every time you use your dryer. Check the area around your lint trap as well to remove bits and pieces that have fallen below the trap.
After running a load in your washing machine, crack the door, allowing it to air out and preventing mold growth.
Did you know .. ? Your washing machine has a filter, too, and although it doesn't necessarily need to be cleaned out after every load like your dryer's lint trap, a thorough cleaning at least once a month can help your washing machine run more efficiently.
Avoid under and over-filling your washing machine and dryer, since doing so can cause your clothes to be washed and dried incorrectly, meaning more loads (and therefore more wear and tear) for you.
Check your dryer vent at least once per year to clear out any lint and debris. Before you clean out your dryer vent, though, be sure to unplug it from the wall, and shut off your gas, if you have a gas dryer. Clean your outside vent as well.
A cup or so of white vinegar can help neutralize nasty smells and help keep your washing machine running more smoothly.
Just as you keep your vehicle's tires full and rotated on a regular basis, your washing machine and dryer should sit level on your floor. Otherwise, you can cause unnecessary strain on your appliances, likely shortening their life spans.
Check your washing machine's water hoses for holes and leaks, and replace them every five years or so.
Ensure door seals are in good working order, and replace them if they're falling apart. Otherwise, get ready to wipe up some water after your next load.
Finally, keep your laundry room clean. Regularly dust and vacuum around your washing machine and dryer to remove lint, dust bunnies, and stray socks from behind your machines to ensure optimal efficiency.

Our Houston electricians are on call and available for emergency electrical services any time you need us. Give us a call today.

Install a Patio Misting System to Stay Cooler in Houston this Summer

John Moore — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

You've cleaned up your landscaping, refinished your deck, and are ready to soak up some sun. But within a few weeks, the temperatures have jumped, the humidity has kicked in, and all of a sudden, the desire to spend time outdoors is gone faster than a Texas "Winter." With a patio misting system, you don't have to let Mother Nature get the best of you. Popular with outdoor restaurants, sports teams, and other businesses that cater to clients outdoors, misting systems have been adopted by homeowners in warmer climates as well. And just as businesses can utilize their misting systems to draw in customers during the hottest months of the year, you can use yours to enjoy the great outdoors when your neighbors are watching through their windows and cranking up their A/Cs.

Benefits of Patio Misting Systems

You can decrease the temperature of your patio or other outdoor space, making it feel significantly cooler, even 30+ degrees.
Unlike a sprinkler system, the moisture produced by an outdoor misting system is incredibly fine, allowing the space to be cooled without causing condensation to collect on walls, furniture, and other surfaces. Instead, the water evaporates into the air, cooling the space to an astounding degree.

Tips on Using Your Patio Misting System

Set up your misting system 10 feet or more from the ground to ensure maximum efficiency and coverage.
Like most everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Cheaper systems tend to create water droplets too big to be considered "mist." Why is this a problem? An effective misting system produces tiny droplets that evaporate in the air when they come in contact with the hot air. If they're too big, the droplets will create condensation, coating you, your patio furniture, and everything else with water. If this doesn't bother you, then by all means opt for a less expensive solution. However, if you're planning on reading, working on your laptop, or entertaining guests who are not interested in wearing swimsuits to the party, choose a better quality system.
A misting system's nozzles will need regular cleaning to prevent or eliminate clogs; removing them from the system is the simplest and most effective way to get a thorough cleaning.

Need help with your patio plumbing project?

Call us today for a free quote on our Houston plumbing installation services.

How to Prevent a Clogged Sink Drain

John Moore — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

If you've ever had to clear out a clogged sink drain, you know just how gross it can get in there. From soap remnants to makeup and hair to toothpaste, moisturizers, and other beauty and hygeine products, anything and everything seems to work its way down our sink drains.

Here are some of our top tips on preventing a clogged sink drain in your Houston home:

Never pour grease or oil down your sink drain. Always pour them into your trash can or a disposable item like an empty soup can (preferably something you can't recycle in your area), and toss them in the garbage. Additionally, coffee grounds and smaller particles of food should be disposed of in a trash can or, better yet, start composting.
Pouring boiling water down your drain every week or two can help keep grime from building up in your pipes.
When running your garbage disposal, use cold water, and don't shut the water off as soon as you shut off the disposal; let the faucet continue running for several more seconds to wash down any leftover debris.
Remove sink stoppers, and give them a thorough cleaning at least once a month. Some gunk is inevitable, but regular maintenance can prevent normal build-up from becoming a massive clog.
Never flush any paper product other than toilet paper. Paper towels, writing paper, and the like can cause more than just a plunging opportunity but a problem with your entire sewer system.
Installing sink strainers can prevent small food particles, bits of soap, and even hair from working their way down the drain. Clean these strainers out regularly to prevent standing water in your sink.
Don't wait until your sink is overflowing with dirty water. If the drain appears to be running more slowly than usual, grab the plunger or plumber's snake to prevent a normal clog from becoming a huge headache.

With proper maintenance, you shouldn't require expensive products or dangerous chemicals to clean out your clogged sink drain. With a little TLC, your pipes can remain clog-free and in working order for years to come.

Need help with your plumbing repair project? Contact the Houston plumbers at John Moore Services to get the job done quickly and affordably.

Carpenter Bee Control in Houston: Protecting your Home & Family

John Moore — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Bees are certainly not an uncommon sight in Southeast Texas. Carpenter bees, noted by their smooth, black abdomens, become active in our area in April and May, so you're likely to come across a few in the coming weeks if you haven't already.

The most noteworthy trait of the carpenter bee is that it likes to burrow into wood, typically older, softer wood, to make a home for itself. Unlike termites, they don't actually consume the wood but use it to build nests. While this might make them less threatening than termites, as a carpenter bee won't be able to destroy the structure of your home like a horde of termites can, the damage can become an eyesore. And while you will only see the entrance to the nest, a hole found on your garage, your roof eaves, your fence, or even on the side of your home, deeper inside the wood is an impressive tunnel system.

Here are a few DIY methods for getting rid of carpenter bees:

Spray soapy water into the holes, preventing the bees from being able to fly.
Fill in the holes with caulking or wood putty to kill off the bees already in the nest. You're going to need to seal up the holes anyway, so this is an effective method.
If you don't mind lugging your vacuum cleaner outdoors, you could use an extension to suck the bees out of their nest instead of or prior to the wood putty / caulk method.

Another positive to note about carpenter bees: unlike many other species, they rarely sting. So, don't provoke them, and call in a professional if the problem has become too extensive for DIY bee removal techniques.

If you've noticed signs of a carpenter bee presence at your home, schedule a free consultation on our Houston carpenter bee control services to find out how we can help.

Crane Flies in Texas

John Moore — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:00:00 GMT

No matter how quickly you shut your door, they still manage to squeeze their way into the house when you're not looking. Around your home, they may be referred to as "mosquito hawks," but their true name is the Crane Fly.

Numerous crane fly species are found in Texas, although they are more prevalent in areas of greater moisture like the Pacific Northwest.

Despite what you may have heard, crane flies do not feed on mosquitoes. While that may be sad to hear, the good news is that crane flies pose no harm to humans or pets. They may become a nuisance inside your home, but outdoors, their larval stages help decompose organic matter, making them a beneficial pest you should try to avoid killing. If you have a compost bin in your back yard, there's a good chance you've seen crane fly larvae nearby.

To prevent crane flies from overtaking your home, simply remember to keep your windows and doors shut as much as possible. If you're letting your dog outside or carrying something to your car, shut the door behind you to reduce the likelihood that a crane fly will be there to greet you when you return.

If you're dealing with a Spring-time pest that just won't leave you alone, call the Houston exterminators at John Moore Servivces today.

Houston Window Maintenance & Cleaning Tips for Spring

Lynton Web Team — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Spring's here! That means it's time to open those blinds and admire the Springtime sun, the chirping birds, and the blooming flowers outdoors. But what good is it to pull back the shades if your windows are filthy?

Window Cleaning Tips

If you don't have time for any other Spring cleaning project this year, grab the family, a few bottles of window spray, a squeegee, and several clean rags, and wash your windows, inside and out. Trying to avoid chemical-laden commercial cleaners? We understand. There's no reason you can't make a simple, DIY home window spray with some basic items you have on hand.

Mix a bucket of warm water with a few drops of dish detergent. Stir, and pour into a clean spray bottle you can buy just about anywhere.
If your windows have screens, remove them, and dust them gently to remove debris and dirt. If necessary, grab your vacuum cleaner, and get rid of all the dead insects and dust bunnies, particularly on the interior windowsill.
You'll probably want to use a spray bottle and rags indoors, but try a squeegee outdoors for the harder-to-reach windows.
Always dilute ammonia and vinegar in adequate amounts of water before applying to windows as they can damage window seals. For this reason, you should try a simple dish soap + water solution before resorting to ammonia or vinegar for tougher window cleaning problems.

Window Maintenance Tips

Beyond cleaning the glass itself, there are a few tasks that, regularly performed, can extend the life of your windows and boost your curb appeal:

Re-paint or re-finish damaged window frames and windowsills. If shutters flank your windows, do the same for those as well.
Make sure your windows close and lock properly. Have them repaired or replaced if they don't.
As always, re-caulk or apply weatherstripping to ensure greater energy-efficiency. Sealing windows can also help prevent moisture from entering your home through your windows.

Is it time to upgrade your old, energy-inefficient windows? Find out more about our Houston window replacement services with a free in-home estimate.

Spruce up your Houston Home's Entryway for Spring

Lynton Web Team — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Spring's here! If you're like us at John Moore Renovation, you're probably looking forward to barbecues, pool parties, and all kinds of fun in the Springtime sun at your Houston home. What better way to greet guests and welcome Spring than with a spruced up front entryway?

There are numerous ways you can freshen up your front porch. Here are some of our favorites:

Shake out your floor mat, and vacuum or throw in the wash if necessary. If it's really worn down, replace it.
If your front door has windows either on the door itself or flanking it, spray them with a window cleaner, and wipe dry.
Dust away spiderwebs and cobwebs, and carefully remove wasp or yellowjacket nests.
Add a plant stand or seasonal decor to bring some life to the area.
If the lightbulb hanging over your front door is burned out or just not that bright, replace it with an energy-efficient alternative.
Thoroughly sweep your front porch as well as the sidewalk leading up to it. If necessary, pull any weeds that have grown in between the concrete slabs, and edge the sidewalks.
Is your door a bit beat up? Re-paint or re-finish your door to make it look shiny and new again.
If your door's hardware looks worn out as well, it's time for an upgrade.
Replace your old threshold, re-caulk, and replace worn down weatherstripping.
Paint your door frame if it has seen better days.
If your door is beyond repair, don't be too scared to replace it. A new front door is more affordable than you probably realize. Just make sure to write down the dimensions, and visit your local hardware or home renovation store to look at styles. A door with windows, for example, might be just the thing you need to make your interior entryway brighter as well.

Need some professional assistance with your new front door? Give us a call for a free quote on our Houston door replacement services today.

Choosing and Installing an Outdoor Ceiling Fan for your Houston Home

Lynton Web Team — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:45:00 GMT

The temperatures are rising, the grass is growing, and even the lovely bluebonnets are in bloom. Spring has definitely reached Houston! Why not make your outdoor experiences this Spring and Summer just a bit cooler? Installing an outdoor ceiling fan gives you the added comfort to withstand the warming temperatures and the onslaught of mosquitoes, but making sure you choose the right fan and install it correctly are paramount to ensuring your safety and the longevity of your purchase.

Download our free guide, "Keeping it Cool: How to Choose and Install an Outdoor Ceiling Fan," to learn more.

How to Clean your Kitchen Range & Hood Filter

Lynton Web Team — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

When you cook on your stovetop, your range's hood fan helps keep your kitchen cleaner and less smoky by filtering out the air around your stove. Inevitably, grease finds its way into your range's hood filter, and since it's vital to the life of your appliances that you keep their filters cleaned, your range hood deserves a good cleaning, ideally every month.

Why should you be concerned about cleaning your range hood?

The grease filtered out by your range fan traps grease inside it. Over time, it builds up and can lessen the performance of the range itself, not just the filter. The built-up grease can become impenetrable to filtered gases, thus creating a fire hazard. Not good.

What are some popular techniques for cleaning your range hood and filter?

Remove the range hood, and clean it with your household degreaser of choice.
Many homeowners prefer to run their filters through the dishwasher after an initial rinse.
You may also find a detergent that doesn't harm aluminum, and soak the filter in your sink or a clean bucket of soapy water to break up the grease.
If your range hood includes a carbon filter, the filter will need to be replaced every few months when it is past its prime.
To clean the range hood itself, unplug the range or shut off the power supply to it. Apply your degreaser or spray to a cloth towel, and wipe away. You want to avoid spraying directly onto the range hood, as this can cause chemicals to be trapped inside the appliance.

Is a kitchen upgrade on your to-do list this year? Request a free quote from our Houston custom kitchen design professionals, and let us help you build a kitchen that works for you.