Ask Lon!

Customer had a leaky shower faucet and slow running drain and did not want the expense of a completely new shower system. We offered such a low cost solution that she also had us clean the tile, replace the caulk and seal the entire shower too…

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Tags: drywall garage, garage drywall, Garage painting, garage repair, home remodeling, North Shore Bathroom Remodel, painting, plaster, Remodeling and Repairs// Category Chicago Handyman News, Garage, Plaster / Joint Compound / Mud // Add Comment »

Tags: chicago door repair, chicago handyman, Chicago Handyman Tips, energy efficiency, winterize home// Category Carpentry / Framing and Finish, Chicago Handyman News, Chicago Handyman Tips // Add Comment »

Testimonial: The Gil Family wrote: “Lon, The doors and basement look great! Thank you so very much…” 

Project Details: Remove mold and water damaged drywall from basement. Replace drywall, prime and paint.

During demolition, the client expressed her desire to have more space in the family room. Working together the Gil’s approved an idea to reverse a closet thereby sealing off the wall to provide access to more useable space within the family room and new closet.  We also imbedded plywood to attach/secure a TV wall mount system and provided Mr. Gil with a new electrical supply.

Outcome: Practically, we captured more closet space by reversing it, secured a flexible shelving system, attached a new closet door and provide the Gil’s with access to critical HVAC diverters which were buried by a previous contractor.

Tags: basement wall repair, Basement water leak, Bathroom Remodel, chicago handyman, Closet Repairs and Improvement, Handyman repairs, home remodeling, North Shore Bathroom Remodel, Remodeling and Repairs// Category Basement Flooding, Basement Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Carpentry / Framing and Finish, Chicago Handyman News, Closet Systems / Closet Repair, Home Remodeling, Paint / Primer / Stain, Plaster / Joint Compound / Mud // Add Comment »

Would you like to get paid up to $50.00 for recycling your old refrigerator, freezer or conditioner?  Well, Ask Lon.com found a resource that picks up these items for free then assures the professional containment of greenhouse gasses during the recycling process and also reduces the amount of hazardous material entering our landfills.  Everyone’s a winner! 

Click here for complete details: http://www.arcaincutility.com/

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AC Removal: 

Don’t do it yourself!  Have it done professionally… call Ask Lon for a free estimate!

Do it yourself?

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Mrs. Olson said: ” Lon, I have been completely pleased with the work you did on my home.  It is too bad all the renovations were to sell the home because it would have been nice to enjoy the work you did.  Not only was the work done to my specifications, but your recommendations and improvements on my plans were excellent, your work was thorough, you were clean, and respected my home.  I will definitely recommend you to my friends and neighbors. Thanks again for all of your help.”

Before Video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teNDWmYX3rM

After Video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg1gzPN5p18

Thanks for the nice note and for choosing Ask Lon.  Also, special thanks to Linda Stromberg @
CENTURY 21 Marino Real Estate, Inc. for her assistance throughout this process.

Tags: basement wall repair, Basement water leak, basement waterproofing, black mold, chicago handyman, chicago handyman services, Handyman repairs, home remodeling, North Shore Bathroom Remodel, Waterproofing// Category Basement Flooding, Bathroom Remodeling, Chicago Handyman News, Home Remodeling, Indoor Handyman Services, Washers & Dryers, Waterproffing // Add Comment »

We presented a bid to refinish eight decks for a condo association and were informed that someone offered to do it for 40% less than us. I reworked the numbers and felt that our price was reasonable.  As a cost saving measure The Condo Association selects the lower bidder.  Conclusion: the decks need to be redone; the contractor splashed stain/sealer onto the roof, metal flashings, gutter, AC unit, door threshold(s), painted wood trim and recently painted metal railing. Stain/Sealer cannot be removed from a rubber roof, and it will cost the association far more than our original estimate to complete the remaining repairs. BTW, lowest bidder did not have insurance.

Not good!

// Category Chicago Handyman News, Chicago Handyman Tips, Deck Cleaning, Deck Sealing, Decks, Home Remodeling // Add Comment »

We have field tested a nice outdoor cleaning product. It removes dirt, mildew, algae and fungus stains on a range of outdoor surfaces, including wood and composite decks, fences, concrete, masonry, brick, stucco, outdoor furniture, roofs, siding and some fabrics such as awnings and vinyl plastics. It is an effective, oxygen powered cleaner concentrate that is biodegradable and gentler than chlorine bleach-based formulas.

It’s not inexpensive, when compared to more traditional products, and still requires a lot of elbow grease, the proper scrub brushes and a professional grade power washer for decks and fencing but it is less harmful to pets, shrubs and trees. 

We have learned several things to improve its performance and we recommend you follow the manufactures instructions on the back of the bottle before you  give Thompson’s® WaterSeal® Oxy Foaming Action Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner a try.  Or have Ask Lon!  Remodeling and Handyman Services do the cleaning for you just like this Condo Associations has…Next up – the fence!  

Tags: chicago handyman, Chicago Handyman Tips// Category Chicago Handyman News, Chicago Handyman Tips, Deck Cleaning, Deck Sealing, Fence Cleaning, Fence Staining, Outdoor Handyman Services, Power Washing // Add Comment »

Please join us in this important “Green” effort.  It’s so simple!

Click here to find a drop-off center in your neighborhood: http://m.call2recycle.org/

Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!

Note: Americans purchase nearly three billion batteries annually, and about 179,000 tons of those end up in landfills across the country.

// Category Chicago Handyman News, Chicago Handyman Tips // Add Comment »