Home Improvement

St. Paul storm windows

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

windowIf you look closely you may see windows covered with plastic. For many of us, insulating window film is a temporary answer to an expensive problem.

I live in a very old house and most of the windows leak. The worst windows were installed in the late 1980’s. Some of the windows are good but they were not installed correctly. We have replaced a few and those windows do not leak cold air into the house.

If you feel a breeze in your old St. Paul house go to your local hardware or home improvement store and pick up some window film. It is fairly easy to install, inexpensive, and can mean a more comfortable winter.

I have heavy construction plastic on my basement windows and window film on two bathroom windows on the West and northwest sides of the house.

Also, consider insulated drapes or shades. They can help keep the house warm on those cold winter nights.

New windows can help too but they are expensive but will pay for themselves after a couple of decades.

Pro homeowner tip: Do not buy cheap replacement windows. They are not worth it.

Pro homebuyer tip: If you are buying an old house in St. Paul expect it to have old windows. If you want new windows buy a new house.

When to call a pro

Posted on by Teresa Boardman
drain cleaner strip
Used to remove hair from a clogged drain

It makes me smile every time I see posts on Facebook from people who are looking for advice from “friends” on how to solve electrical, plumbing, and heating problems in their homes.  Sure some folks have friends who are licensed plumbers, electricians, or HVAC experts but responses usually come from people who had similar but not identical issues.

As a homeowner myself I just want to say that I like to use Google to do a little research before I call a professional. I do that so that I can get an understanding of what might be wrong. I have a rudimentary understanding of all of the mechanicals in my house and can sometimes perform minor repairs myself. Those repairs usually involve replacing gaskets or washers or maybe cleaning out a drain or a hose.

I generally won’t touch anything that is electrical and always call a pro when the furnace or AC is not working correctly. With appliances, it is a crap shoot. Often in makes sense to replace older appliances rather than trying to get them repaired.  Again a little research online can help diagnose common problems with major appliances.

Hiring a pro can be expensive but in the long run, it can also save money.  I have seen my share of botched home repairs over the years.

If you live in an old house like mine it is important to always have an emergency fund available. At a minimum that fund should have $1000 in it.  The holiday season tends to attract costly repairs. I can not remember a time in my life when I did not have to pay for an emergency car repair or household repair in December. Last year it was the car battery on Christmas Eve.

Getting ready for winter

Posted on by Teresa Boardman
April 15 2018

It is time to put the hoses away and turn off the water to the outdoor spigots. They will freeze if the temperature stays below freezing for a day or two.

Last weekend I put some plastic on a couple of the windows. They need to be repaired or replaced but for now, a little plastic will go a long way. There are window kits at your local hardware store. The plastic can be put on the inside or the outside and it can make a big difference.

This year it snowed before I got the shovels out and the snow brush for the car was in the trunk. Now is the time to gas up the snow blower and test it to see if it works. Gas-powered snow blowers do a great job if they start. If I were to replace mine it would be with a battery-powered unit.

I like those stuffed snakes for stopping drafts under doors or windows.

Boot parks are handy, especially in houses like mine with hardwood floors. I got the boots out and on the boot park by the back door.

 

The scariest noise in your house

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

water faucetIt is Halloween once more. Any house can be scary even if it isn’t haunted. For homeowners, one of the scariest noises is dripping water, especially if it isn’t coming from a faucet. A small water leak can cause a lot of damage.

Most water meters can detect a plumbing leak. If you shine a flashlight on your water meter and see a faucet icon you may have a leak. Some water meters have stars that turn red if there is a plumbing leak.

Some leaks won’t show up on the water meter. I had a leak in the water supply line for a toilet. The water dripped through the floor and into the basement and ruined a few items on a shelf. The water line has been replaced and I keep the shelf empty.

Plumbers can be expensive but not as expensive as repairing the damage from a small water leak.

Check your smoke alarms

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

When the smoke alarm batteries die it usually happens at around 2:30 AM. They chirp and the smoke alarms are conveniently located right by the bedrooms and a ladder is required to reach them.

If you change the battery or in some cases the backup battery once a year it probably won’t give out in the middle of the night. I like to do that in October right after I call and schedule my furnace tune-up.

According to the Minnesota Department of Safety, 41% of fire-related deaths occur in December and January. There are more housefires in the winter than during the warmer months.

If you do not have working smoke alarms you still have time to get them before the peak house fire season. If you live in St. Paul:

For Saint Paul Residents

Did you know, that as a Saint Paul resident, you may be eligible for FREE smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, StoveTop Fire Stops, and training from the Saint Paul Fire Department?

Call 651-228-6273 for more information

House Fire in St. paul
House Fire

Did you know that smoke detectors do not last forever? Well, they don’t. If yours are ten years old consider replacing them.

 

Vacant house? Winterize and call your insurance company

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

Water can destroy a house. A small plumbing leak can cause extensive damage. I have seen the aftermath when pipes burst.

If your home is going to be vacant over the winter now is the time to have it winterized. We have not had a hard freeze here in the Twin Cities and we still have some time before water will freeze inside of an unheated home.

If you own a vacant home consider having it winterized. Furnaces can fail and frozen pipes can burst when they thaw and that leaves a really big mess.

The process involves turning off the water and draining anything that has water in it like pipes, the water heater, and the heating system if it is a hot water type boiler. You can winterize your own home it isn’t all that difficult especially if you have a forced air furnace but most people prefer to use a contractor. If you don’t know who to call try your local heating and plumbing company.

Let your homeowner’s insurance company know that your property will be vacant. Check for vacant home coverage. 

Maple Leaf
Maple leaf