How long does it take you to install a new threshold Lon?
- The Old Threshold
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Entries Tagged as 'Chicago Handyman Tips'
Landfill Attack!
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/
Power Washing Decks, Fences or Siding Using a Green Cleaner
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!
Remodeling, Repair and Handyman Services
Lon and Pam’s Dream Home
Over the last few years, seems that people are staying longer in their existing homes. Even the rate of home entertaining and stay at home vacations has dramatically increased. Makes us wonder why then, do so many people wait to make home improvements until they are ready to sell? Whether you’re planning to stay or prepping to sell – please take a moment to view our latest “before & after” video and discount offer. Please give me a call to schedule a Free Estimate and thank you for your continued support.
Ask Lon! Remodeling, Repair and Handyman Services
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Lon Thomas Owner/Operator Ask Lon! 5632 Church Street Morton Grove, IL 60053 (847)636-0771 www.asklon.com———————————–
Follow Us @ Twitter FaceBookDoor Repair and Door Security Up-Grades
Do you want to feed this family?
Door Repair and Security Up-Grades by Ask Lon!
Being burglarized is a terrible experience. I know because it has happened to me. So, I’ve shot a video showing how to install an inexpensive door security up-grade to help lessen the likelihood of it happening again. Additionally, in the past 3 weeks I have been contacted by 3 different customers (one of them even had ADT Security) about break-ins.
In security this philosophy applies: “If you and a friend are being chased by a bear you only need to outrun your friend.” So let’s make your home visibly more challenging to break into.
Pervasiveness:
- 85% of all break-ins are through a door
- It takes 10 seconds for a burglar to kick-in a door
- An experienced burglar is gone in less than 12 minutes
- Police response time to a typical home alarm is often greater than 10 minutes
- 38 percent of assaults and 60 percent of rapes occur during home invasions
- One in five homes undergoes a home invasion or break-in
- There are more than 8,000 home invasions every day in North America
- In 48 percent of home invasions, victims sustain physical injuries
- Victims age 60 or older make up 17 percent of home invasion victims
Thankfully, added protection does not cost a fortune!
Actually nothing can be done to assure that the professional burglar will be kept out of your home but the good news is that most thieves are not well equipped and therefore look for the quick and easy targets. When they see a solid properly installed lock and door system, and kick one of these door frame supports, they generally move on to a door without them.
It costs approximately 3 times more to repair a door then it does to install improved door security.
Ask Lon combines different systems to make life more challenging for the professional burglar and to help outwit the beginner. Call me now @ 847-636-0771 to inquire about scheduling a free estimate.
Sincerely,
Lon Thomas Owner Ask Lon! 847-636-0771 Info@asklon.comTip of the Week! Naughty verses Nice?
Question: “Lon, which is better for the enviroment artifical or a real cut tree?”
Answer: “Nauty verses Nice” The nice option is to consider a living potted tree to be transplaned on your property or dontated to the local parks department for spring planting. But if that’s not feasible… Real cut trees are considered a carbon-nutral purchase for several reasons:
- For every real Christmas tree harvested, up to three seedlings are planted and last year 60 million trees were planted by farmers
- 500,000 acres of production Christmas trees provide the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people
- Real trees are recyclable – a critical step, please don’t’ throw them in the garbage!
Roughly 80% of artificial trees are produced in Asia. Made of non-biodegradable materials which eventually find their way to American landfills where they remain for centuries. When you factor in the energy consumption, pollution discharged, packaging and shipping; well it’s simply not worth it for generations to come.
Real trees are a renewable resource when delivered to a recycling center. Below is a list of local recycling centers where your tree may become:
- Chipping material used as mulch or to sustain hiking trails
- Stabilization of shorelines or new fish habitat
- Cook County uses recycled Christmas trees to rebuild housing structures for natural wildlife that have been destroyed through urban development.
Below is a list of Recycling Centers in Chicago or check your village community web site for local drop-off locations. Drop trees off anytime “Just throw your tree on the pile,” they advised.
Chicago Christmas tree Recycling Sites: Bessemer Park 8930 S. Muskegon Ave. / Clark Park 3400 N. Rockwell / Forestry Site 900 E. 103rd St. / Garfield Park 100 N. Central Park Ave. / Grant Park 900 S. Columbus / Humboldt Park Boathouse 1369 N. Sacramento / Jackson Park 6300 S. Cornell / Kennedy Park 11320 S. Western / Kelvyn Park 4438 W. Wrightwood / Lake Meadows Park 3117 S. Rhodes / Lincoln Park Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave.(Parking lot east of Cannon Dr.) / Margate Park 4921 N. Marine Dr. / Marquette Park 6700 S. Kedzie / McKinley Park 2210 W. Pershing Rd. / Mt. Greenwood Park 3721 W. 111th St. / North Park Village 5801 N. Pulaski Rd. / Norwood Park 5801 N. Natoma / Portage Park 4100 N. Long / Riis Park 6100 W. Fullerton / Rowan Park 11546 S. Avenue L / Sheridan Park 910 S. Aberdeen St. / Warren Park 6601 N. Western Ave. / Wentworth Park 5625 S. Mobile
Ask Lon! the Handyman 847-636-0771Home Fall Checklist
Ask Lon’s! / Fall Checklist!
Residential Homes & Condo Associations
Replace batteries in smoke/ fire and carbon monoxide detectors.
Heating and Cooling: (Check the literature that came with your furnace – can’t find it? We can help!)
Inspect the chimney to be certain it is clear of nests and debris. Clean A/C condenser and cover unit. Vacuum around furnace and be certain nothing flammable has been placed near heating system. Replace air filter, check room for proper ventilation and move air duct vent to “winter” position. Test the thermostat to assure the heating system ignites and shuts down properly.
Humidifier:
Some forced air systems have built-in humidifiers which need to be cleaned prior to use and the water supply turned on then tested for leaks. Failure to maintain the unit invites mechanical failure and corrosion of the air ducts. Worse yet, poorly maintained systems can provide an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria and mold. Even those standalone humidifiers must be cleaned and inspected.
Plumbing:
Drain garden hose & close exterior water supply. Are all exterior stairwell drains clear and working properly?
Roof:
Check for leaks. Check for damaged, loose, or missing shingles. Check vents and louvers for birds, nests, squirrels, and insects. Inspect flashing around roof stacks, vents, and skylights for leaks.
Attic:
Examine internally and externally for holes or leaks along the roofline. Make certain that attic insulation doesn’t cover ventilation vents in the eaves. Keeping them clear helps prevent winter ice dams. Remove or add as insulation necessary. Check for evidence of birds, squirrels, raccoons, etc. Check for proper ventilation.
Windows & Doors:
Check condition of caulk, glazing and weather stripping around windows and doors. Clean out window and screen door weep wells. Lower storms and test window locks. Make sure the basement window wells are high enough to prevent ground water from flowing into them and that the bottoms are cleared of leaves and that dirt or gravel is at least 12 inches below the window sill. When was the last time you loosened the soil within them to improve drainage?
Garage Doors:
Adjust to eliminate openings where critters gain entry and lubricate wheels and opener. Good time to replace remote batteries too!
Exterior walls:
Check for cracks, openings and deteriorating bricks and mortar. Check for loose or damaged siding. Check painted surfaces for flaking.
Landscaping:
Remove tree limbs, branches, or debris that can attract insects. Be certain ground around your home drops away ½ inch per-foot as you move away from the house.
Gutters and Downspouts:
Remove debris and check for leaks, misalignment, or damage. Are those downspout extensions in place and secure?
Would you like us to handel these details?
Dial 847-636-0771 for a free evaluation.
Ask Lon! 847-636-0771 info@asklon.com www.asklon.comSound Reduction and Soundproofing
At last a topic of discussion where my passion for drumming intersects with our business. From garage bands to performing at nightclubs or recording studios, controlling and managing the sounds serves many purposes. Here we are going to briefly introduce you to the differences between sound reduction and soundproofing within the home or workplace.
How sound travels:
My 7th grade science teacher (Mr. Glure) might be thrilled that I still recall his tuning fork demonstration which proved, in simple terms, that sound is a vibration which can be transmitted through a solid, liquid or gas. Sound travels in waves such as amplitude, frequency, period, speed and wavelength and moves quickly through solids due to their density. Walls, floor and ceilings are comprised of tightly compressed atoms which are well suited to quickly transmit sound.
Sound reduction is in fact a method to modify an existing space to minimize the amount of noise between floors, ceilings or walls. Drywall is an excellent and inexpensive material yet it is also an excellent conduit for vibration.
Luckily there are special insulations and state of the art sheet rock products on the market today that when properly installed can significantly reduce sound. These and other high-tech materials are financially within reach of most homeowners and when compared to the benefit of a good night sleep – they are a great return on investment.
Soundproofing is another animal all together. Currently homes and businesses aren’t constructed to address Little Johnny riding his bike across the hardwood floors upstairs, a neighbor blasting their 300 watt Bose speakers or that machine noise emanating from the warehouse.
To soundproof these conditions, you are looking at the complete demolition of your existing space to add double wall construction combined with the latest in soundproofing technology working in concert to absorb vibrations and unwanted sound.
The sad truth is that during home remodeling or new construction projects it would cost about 3 to 5% more to address sound issues throughout a home or business. So yes it’s possible to install hidden soundproofing into your existing space but it’s going to cost you much more than if you make the decision at the time of original construction.
Your quest for peace and quiet can be addressed in greater detail @ 1-847-636-0771, so call for a free estimate!
Chicago Handyman: 7 Lessons on Wood
- Species: Did you know that there are 82 individual species of hardwoods and an additional 115 subspecies? The mighty American White Oak has 10 subspecies and nearly as many as compared to the 16 individual softwoods on the planet. The vast majority of wood species used in the Midwest are: Balsa, birch, cherry, maple, white & red oak. Domestic, foreign or exotic species are generally chosen based on a specific application, climate condition or aesthetics.
- Grade: Most trees have standardized grades within which they are rated. It’s important in custom cabinet making or finished flooring to determine a woods grade. The higher the number the clearer the woods finished appearance.
- Cut: Plain sawn is the most common type of cut. Because growth rings are parallel to the board’s surface it results in the grainy pattern we see most often and is an extremely cost-effective way to cut. Quarter sawn is a more expensive type of cut. Achieved by slicing logs into triangular quarters resulting in perpendicular rings to the board’s face. This produces straighter gains with a more consistent coloring.
- Pattern: In flooring we commonly see strip or plank style. But parquets in various patterns as do making intricate cuts to create borders or designs.
- Color: Selecting the right woods for your particular application and by examining individual board color patterns for proper pre-layout will certainly achieve the finished look you were hoping for regardless of the stain you choose. But keep in mind that while darker colors look luxurious they also make a room or cabinet look smaller and show wear sooner than natural finishes.
- Protection: It’s surprising for most of our customers to learn the high cost of floor or cabinet refinishing verses the low-cost of maintenance. The 1st and best protection is to apply 3 coats of polyurethane to protect the wood from the elements and daily usage.
- Cleaning: Techniques vary dependent upon the age and condition of the wood but nothing beats a soft broom sweep or terrycloth towel. Never use vacuum with a beater bar, ammonia based chemicals, oil, soaps or large amounts of water. Grease or spills should be spot cleaned with a tightly wrung out damp rag.
Typically those high traffic areas need professional attention every 6 to 12 months (depending upon usage) so give me a call @ 1-847-636-0771 to schedule a free estimate.
Handy iPhone App for The Handyman
It seems that nowadays everyone is getting an iPhone, and with some 70,000+ applications to download in the Apple App Store, you’re bound to find something in there for all walks of life. Digging around recently, I found an app called the “iHandy Carpenter,” which is an all-in-one package that features a bubble lever bar, plumb bob, protractor, surface level, and ruler. It may not replace your regular, analog tools, but in a pinch it may be able to help you more than an angry mid-afternoon spouse phone call, and that itself is worth the $1.99 they are charging. Check out more screenshots and info or download the app here.
which DIY Handyman Toolbox
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