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

Tags: Chicago Handyman Tips, Uncategorized by admin
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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.

Tags: Attics, Chicago Handyman News, Chicago Handyman Tips, Gutters, Handyman Service Packages, Home Safety, Indoor Handyman Services, Outdoor Handyman Services, Roofing, Winterize Home by admin
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Sadly, requests for door and lock replacements due to break-ins have reached an all-time high.  For example, we work with Rite Lock and Safe in Skokie and have experienced a 3 fold increase in the last 6 months alone!  

Basically Burglars fall into two categories: skilled professionals, often with tools, who check out a neighborhood before deciding which homes to target; and opportunistic thieves, who may simply kick doors until they find one that gives way. The right lock can deter the pro and defeat the opportunist.

Nearly two-thirds of all burglaries involve forced entry, and they succeed partly because of flimsy door locks, mounting hardware, and improperly installed door frames. A pro can spot a cheap lock which is why The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) strongly recommends using locks Rated 1. These locks are typically commercial grade quality or higher.

But even poorly performing locks can be significantly strengthened by replacing the strike (the metal plate that’s mounted on the door jamb and into which the lock’s bolt slides) with a box strike. You may not have to buy a new lock at all; a box strike should add significant protection to your present lock and other strengthening systems exist to support your doorframe providing improved kick-in resistance.

Another inexpensive way to enhance your current door lock is to replace short mounting screws with 3-inch ones. Screws of that length will penetrate the thin door jamb to reach the studs, providing more resistance to impact.  Be certain that these screws are secured into the 2 x 4 rough framing which supports and secures the door frame.

Bottom-line, be proactive about home security! Add outdoor lighting, know your neighbors, always deadbolt doors even when you are only going out for a walk, and never leave notes pinned to the door; it’s a notice that you are not home.

We would be happy to take your call and walk you through the door security process or schedule a free home inspection.

Sincerely,

Tags: Chicago Handyman News, Chicago Handyman Tips, Home Safety, Home Security, Indoor Handyman Services by admin
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Tags: Chicago Handyman Tips by admin
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We completed two bathroom remodels this week.  Take a look at the before and after photos below and let us know what you think of our work .  Call Lon @ 847-636-0771 today for a free estimate.

We removed wall paper, toilet and flooring to create this simple yet tasteful update.

Below: Last week (at another residence) we also installed glass shower tiles to transform this space. Up next – flooring, toilet, vanity, sink, faucet and lighting!

Please let us know what you think of our handiwork @ info@asklon.com or 847-636-0771

Tags: Bathroom Remodeling, Flooring, Home Remodeling by admin
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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.

Tags: Chicago Handyman Tools by Lon Thomas
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A friend suggested I share photos of a recent bathroom remodel.  The only regret is not taking a photo before the demolition… Enjoy!

Removed an old cast iron bathtub and dated fixtures to create a walk-in tiled shower and overall beautiful new bathroom.

Tags: Bathroom Remodeling, Indoor Handyman Services by admin
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On Tuesday President Obama revealed details of a $6 billion program to boost home energy efficiency, create jobs and reduce energy bills. The Home Star program proposes rebates of $1,000 to $1,500 for simple upgrades up to a maximum of $3,000 per home. The program is pending congressional approval. More on the program here.

Tags: Chicago Handyman News, Winterize Home by admin
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Each year, around this time, I’m reminded of the time my parents home caught fire becase of a dirty dryer vent. It’s true, and had it not been for Aunt Betty, who just happened to be visiting, the entire house would have been lost.

The fire department arrived to extinguish the blaze, and thankfully no one was hurt. Still, the washer, dryer and everything within 30 sq ft. were completely engulfed in flame.

The event remains surreal, “these things only happen to other people”, yet this entire episode could have been avoided by replacing and/or diligent cleaning the dryer vent hose.*

The fix was simple; dad replaced it with rigid metal pipe. We learned later that no matter what material is used, it’s recommended that the duct be cleaned (at minimum) annually!!

We’ve shot this video to show you how simple it is to do yourself. Obviously, call me if you need to replace the flexible plastic duct with a safer rigid material; or should you want us to clean it for you.

Finally, don’t leave your home with the dryer running and never sleep with it on.

Be safe,

Lon

* Note: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 15,000 clothes dryer fires occur annually. These fires account for an average of 10 deaths, 310 injuries, and more than $84.4 million in property damage.

Telltale signs of a potential problem:

• Clothes are taking longer than normal to dry
• Portions of clothing are still damp after a typical cycle
• You can see lint accumulation around the dryer door gasket
• Lint buildup is also visible inside the machine when the lint screen is removed

Tags: Indoor Handyman Services, Washers & Dryers by Lon Thomas
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Fred and Bill Bondy made a lasting impression on our professional and personal lives. So much so, that a group of former employees came together with family members to honor Bill and Fred.

I\’ll Never Forget The Time…

666-0981 Bio 10\’s

An Angel is Watching

The Bondy Tree

Charlie\’s File Cabinet

Tags: Chicago Handyman News by Lon Thomas
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