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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Aluminum window frames are durable, but they won’t stop the window glass they encase from breaking. Nonetheless, when the windowpane breaks, it is easy to remove the aluminum frames to open them and put in glass replacement windows.

Use the following steps to restore your window. Of course, before you start, make sure you order the correct glass replacement windows from your local window retailer.

Instructions

Step 1: Wear heavy-duty gloves that will prevent broken shards of glass from cutting you. Very carefully remove the pieces of glass that fell from the window assembly.

Step 2: Take down the entire window assembly from the frame on the wall. If replacing fixed windowpanes, there should be screws covered by plugs that secure the frame to window opening. Use a screwdriver to pull away the plugs so you can remove the screws, loosen the window assembly, and remove it.

If dealing with sliding type of windows, lift the assembly upward from the base until the bottom of the frame can be removed from its track.

For hinged-type windows, simply remove the assembly by removing each of the screws that secure the opening mechanism onto the frame.

Step 3: Remove all screws that hold together the window frame. In aluminum window frames, glass panes are sandwiched between the frame’s inner and outer segments. When you loosen the screws and remove them, you will be able to detach the parts that keep the frame together. You can then locate a rubber gasket surrounding the glass pane.

Step 4: Take out the rubber gasket with care since you will be re-using it. Run a damp cloth around the window seat to get rid of any dust, dirt, or tiny glass pieces. Put the rubber gasket all along the outside edges of the glass replacement windows.

Step 5: Slide the replacement window into the frame. Put back the frame in the reverse order of how you disassembled it. Tighten the screws to hold the glass replacement windows securely in place.

Step 6: Put back the new window assembly into the opening. Ensure a perfect fit by putting back all the screws in the right holes.

Need Quick Help Fixing a Broken Window?

A broken window is a security risk. For the fastest and most convenient way of fixing broken glass windows, call in a professional. You also don’t have to spend extra time searching for local window experts. Seva Call can get you connected with reputable contractors in your area in no time. Call us now.

Tags: Glass Replacement Windows
Posted in Window Replacement | No Comments »

Three Best Wood Stoves

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Are freezing weather and high energy bills making you think of buying a new wood stove to keep your home warm and cozy? There are certainly many brands on the market to choose from. Here are some of the best wood stoves out there:

Hearthstone Heritage

This is one of the best wood stoves recommended by experts for use throughout the cold months, and is rated 55,000 BTU for spaces up to 1,900 square feet. It uses soapstone, which has excellent abilities to absorb heat and radiate it, allowing the stove to give off heat for up to 12 hours after it is loaded with firewood.

This stove is, therefore, not for making quick fires. It features a huge glass window that gives a great view of the fire and is easy to load through a side door, although it needs to be reloaded after about 8 hours or so.

This stove is easy to set up so it will burn air from the outside only to lessen indoor pollution. The Hearthstone Heritage has been certified by the EPA for low emissions and includes a lifetime warranty.

Quadra-Fire

Another top-rated brand, Quadra-Fire, offers modern-looking wood stoves. Many of its top-ranked stoves use sheet steel with the firebox lined with brick, which allows heat to radiate from the stove very quickly. However, while steel stoves are great for quick fires, they do not hold heat as long as stoves made with cast-iron or soapstone.

Quadra-Fire also has different size stoves to heat various sized areas up to 2,400 square feet. Quadra-Fire wood stoves carry lifetime limited warranty.

Vermont Castings

This is the most often recommended wood stove brand and it makes non-catalytic cast-iron stoves in classic, ornate designs. The cast iron in these stoves absorbs and stores heat from the peak of the fire and radiates it out as the fire subsides. As you can expect from the best wood stoves, these stoves are EPA-certified.

The medium-sized model, DutchWest 2478, is a 40,000 BTU stove rated to heat areas from 800 to 1,400 square feet. It is capable of holding a fire for up to 10 hours, so you can load it with fire logs before you leave for work and your home will be warm and cozy when you get back. It can also be adjusted so that it burns outside air only.

The warranty on Vermont Casting stoves is 3 years on the cast iron and 1 year for the other parts.

Which Wood Stove is for You?

Any of these brands offer great heating efficiency and will add a nice charming ambiance, as well as cozy warmth to your home. However, remember that even the best wood stoves will need regular maintenance to keep them clean and in good working condition. When you’re looking for professional wood stove service, count on Seva Call to get you the help you need.

Tags: cooking, oven, stove, wood stove
Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

How to Winterize Cars

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Driving a car in the winter is slightly more complicated than driving during normal weather conditions. You should take certain steps before going out to take on snow, sleet, and ice. Do not take winterizing your car lightly. You need to be prepared to drive through the severe weather. Keep reading if you want to learn how to winterize cars.

How to Winterize Cars

If your car is due for a 3,000-mile service you should not put it off. This means you need to get the oil changed and test oil viscosity so that your vehicle is in tip-top shape. As the temperature drops, oil tends to thicken, and if it is too thick it will not be able to properly lubricate the engine.

You will also need to check your windshield wipers. Usually, windshield wipers work well for about a year. Make sure there is enough washer fluid as well. Furthermore, you need to make sure the heater and defroster in your car are working properly so you can stay warm and see properly when you are driving.

Another area you need to check is your battery. Either replace the entire battery or simply make sure that the connectors are not corroded and that everything is in working order. You can have it serviced and tested to make sure it holds its charge.

Don’t forget to ensure that the tire pressure on all four tires is at an appropriate level. When the air outside gets colder, the air inside the tires will contract, so you need to have the correct air pressure. You may also want to add chains around your tires to increase their ability to grip the road when there is snow or ice.

You should also do a general service of lights, coolants, engine parts, etc. Even with all this preparation, you should still be cautious when driving in severe weather conditions.

Need Help Winterizing Your Car?

If you have more questions about winterizing your car you should try to talk to a professional so that you can get the best help possible. The easiest way to get in contact with reliable local mechanics is to use Seva Call. Just tell us what you need, when, and where, and we will connect you with the best professionals in your area in just minutes, for free!

Posted in Auto Repair | No Comments »

How to Sweat Copper Water Lines

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Copper is one of the most common materials used for water supply lines. It makes for a durable pipe that is not difficult to work with and can handle water loads with high pressure. However, the downside of using copper is its high cost, which can be triple the price of plastic CPVC pipe.

In copper water lines, the pipes are fit together by solid core solder wire (lead-free). The process of soldering the pipes entails heating or “sweating” them.

Prep the Lines

Before you work on any active copper water lines, check that you’ve turned off the water supply valve. Drain the water lines by opening the lowest and highest faucets in the house. You want to make sure the lines are not carrying any more water in them when you start soldering because even the tiniest amount of water can affect how a joint will heat up.

Sweating Process

1. Use a hacksaw to cut the pipe. You may also use a tube cutter. Simply tighten the cutter to score the pipe and cut it. Your cutter may have a reamer you can use to get rid of burrs.

2. Sand the surfaces of the pipe and the pipe fitting using an emery cloth or wire brush. Then, use a rag to wipe the pipe clean. Put flux on the pipe and fitting to halt oxidation at the joint and help the solder adhere to the copper.

3. Fit the pipe and fitting together. Use a propane torch to heat the joint. It would only take a brief 30 seconds to reach the right temperature for the solder to melt.

4. With the joint heated up, pull the solder wire across it. The wire should pull in and around the joint. If the joint fails to heat up and melt solder, it’s likely there’s still water in the line.

5. Use a rag to wipe excess solder from the joint and let it cool.

6. Once the run has been soldered, pipes between the joists should be braced with brackets to keep them from banging together. Put insulation material inside any holes you’ll find in joists where the pipes went through.

7. Install plates across framing members to protect copper water lines from being punctured by fasteners.

Let an Expert Take Care of This Job

Not confident about soldering your copper water lines? Don’t fret. Seva Call can match you with qualified plumbers in your area who can handle any water pipe soldering job. Send us your service request, and you can be connected to the right service professional within minutes!

Tags: Copper Water Lines
Posted in Plumbers | No Comments »

Quick Tips Before You Prepare Exterior of House For Painting

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Repainting the exterior of your house with a fresh coat of paint or even a new color is the simplest way to give your home an instant facelift without breaking the bank.

Choosing a Color Scheme

Go Classic: Most of the time, the tried-and-tested color combinations simply are the best. For example, bright white window frames and warm beige siding will never go out of style.

Bright Accents: You can use two different hues to create bright accents, such as painting your door a bright teal while giving window shutters a dusty gray color. This will work for homes that are covered in mostly one color like white or another neutral hue.

Contemporary: The combination of brown and steel gray will give your home a modern look. This color scheme is perfect for homes with wood sidings that are stained medium or dark brown, which adds contrast and helps soften the coolness of the gray paint.

Painting Tips

Knowing which colors to paint your house exterior is just half of the work. You need to make sure the actual painting is done flawlessly. Here are some tips to know before you pick up the paintbrush:

1) Always use quality paint. Low-quality exterior paint will not withstand weather conditions day-in and day-out. When you buy high-quality paint, you can expect it to resist fading and cracking even when it’s exposed to the sun and harsh temperatures.

2) Don’t skip sanding. It’s one of the most critical steps to ensure paint adhesion. Power wash the surface to be painted before sanding. Paint will not stick properly to a dirty and/or mildewed surface.

3) Primers exist for a reason: they make paint adhere better. Apply a coat of oil primer and then a coat of acrylic or latex paint for a strong seal.

4) If you have several paint cans of the exact same color, mix them together in a large container. By combining them, it will result in a uniform paint color.

5) Prevent paint streaks by working from the top to the bottom of a surface.

Fall is the best time to paint your house exterior, because the chances of rain are slim which allows the paint to cure properly. Humidity levels are also good in the fall, making it an ideal time to paint since high humidity can cause bubbling in the paint.

Call in a Pro for a Stress-Free Paint Job

Whatever exterior painting you need to get done around your home, you can find a reliable and experienced painter in your area with TalkLocal’s help. Contact us today and we’ll get you in touch with qualified professionals in no time.

Tags: House Painting Ideas
Posted in Painters, talklocal | No Comments »

Home Insulation Grants

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

People who want to experience considerable energy savings and protect their resources in the long term should think about insulating their homes in a professional manner. Nonetheless, this type of home improvement project requires a considerable financial investment that many families can’t afford to make.

Here is some helpful info on home insulation grants that you may want to consider.

Weatherization Grants for Low-Income Families

Families with limited financial possibilities could apply for a weatherization grant, offered by the US government. Insulation grants are provided to organizations from your very own community. All of the candidates who apply for this type of grant are carefully screened by the organization.

If you are eligible, the organization will pay for your project (materials and installation costs are usually included) or reimburse you the money. If you need more details on this topic, just call your gas company or electrical company and get the most accurate answers to your questions.

Benefit from Tax Credits

Remember that the grants mentioned above are only for low-income families. If you are not eligible for this this type of grant, you can still benefit from tax credits. Tax credits are not repayable and can decrease your tax liability.

The main drawback is that this financing option only covers up to 30% of your expenses (excluding installations). This means that you can get only approximately $1,500 through this method. It may not sound like much, compared to the total costs triggered by this home improvement project, but it’s a decent start.

Ask an Expert

Different sources may provide misleading, confusing info on home insulation grants. To shed some light on this matter, discuss your options with a heating and cooling expert. Spot the best ones in your area with Seva Call, a free service introduced to connect you with the best professionals in your area.

Tags: Home Insulation Grants
Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

Installing Pella Replacement Windows

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Pella is a well-known manufacturer of door and window products for new construction and replacement projects. Because of the wide range of choices in material and style, Pella replacement windows are some of the most popular options for homeowners who want to upgrade their old windows.

Pella offers windows made of primed or unfinished wood (Mahogany, Pine, Douglas Fir, and Alder), aluminum-clad wood, Duracast fiberglass composite, and vinyl. Pella replacement windows come in various styles including:

– Casement

– Awning

– Double-Hung

– Single-Hung

– Sliding

– Bay or Bow

– Special Shapes (i.e. Full Chord, Full Circle, Octagon, Springline, Rectangular, etc.)

– Specialty (i.e. French/Push-Out/In-Swing French Casement Windows, Tilt-Turn and Hopper Windows)

– Custom

Pella Replacement Windows Installation Process

Step 1: Measure the openings.

Getting the exact measurement of your window openings is critical to making sure your Pella replacement windows will perform as expected and contribute to the energy efficiency of your home.

Measure the opening vertically and horizontally across three areas: top, middle, and bottom. Get the width by measuring from jamb to jamb. Get the height by measuring from the windowsill’s top to the header’s underside.

With all measurements taken, choose the smallest width and height measurements for the final dimensions. A local window specialist can assist with this step to ensure precise measurements.

Step 2: Remove the old windows.

Your old windows must be removed carefully to prevent the walls of your home from being damaged. It’s also important that old windows be disposed of in a responsible manner, so they will be hauled away by local Pella window replacement contractors at no additional cost.

Step 3: Ensure the new window is weather tight.

Be extra careful in making sure that your Pella replacement windows are uniform, plumb, and level in the openings. Insulation should be installed between your windows and wall.

Also, check that windows are well sealed to your walls to keep water and air from getting into your home.

Step 4: Finish and clean up.

Test to ensure that every new window is working properly. All hardware should be installed.

Depending on your preferred finish, the windows would either be painted or stained. If necessary, replace both the window’s interior and exterior trims and apply desired finish.

Once all the finishing work is done, the Pella installer will clean up and vacuum the work area. They will explain to you how to operate and care for your new Pella replacement windows.

Find a Local Pella Certified Windows Installer

All Pella window replacement projects are completed by installation professionals who have been specifically trained by Pella to be distributors and installers of their products. For help locating a certified Pella contractor in your area, contact Seva Call. We’ll connect you with local Pella experts in no time for free!

Tags: Pella Replacement Windows
Posted in Window Replacement | No Comments »

How to Check Snow Tires Performance

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

In winter weather, one of the most important safety additions you can make to your vehicle is to switch out the regular tires to snow tires, especially when your area gets a lot of snowfall. Here are some points to look for when checking snow tires performance to make sure you purchase the right product.

1. Hard grip on snow or ice. Obviously, any winter tire has better grip on snow- or ice- covered roads than an all-season or regular tire. However, the best snow tires performance is characterized by an incredible grip that’s significantly superior to average winter tires.

2. More durability. With their softer rubber material, snow tires wear out more quickly than regular tires. Nonetheless, when you choose good tire models, they should last you about three winters or at least 20,000 miles.

3. Improved ride comfort. It used to be that snow tires with their hefty treads made rides very uncomfortable, but there has been a lot of improvement in this specific area of snow tires performance. Today, there are snow tires without studs that allow for a quiet and comfortable ride. Studded types, however, still have noise issues.

4. Good warranty. Usually, snow tires don’t come with a warranty for tread wear. However, the best products will always include a five-year tire warranty against defects.

Using Snow Tires

Snow tires performance can also be affected simply by your usage. Before you decide to switch to snow tires or keep them on, think about whether you do need to use them or not.

Snow tires are recommended when you drive regularly on snowy or icy roads. You’ll be able to put your brake on faster, keep the car from sliding when turning corners, and go uphill better when you have winter tires instead of all-season tires.

Snow tires performance is simply better overall in areas with cold temperatures. Go for performance winter tires if your winters are mostly either rainy or dry. This type of winter tires is suitable for snowstorms but does not compromise the grip on wet roads or cold and dry pavements, unlike regular snow tires.

Get Expert Snow Removal Help

The best snow tires performance cannot stop your vehicle or your entire yard from getting buried in several inches of snow during harsh winter. To take care of snow removal quickly, hire expert local professionals with the help of Seva Call. We can connect you with reputable snow removal companies within minutes to clear the snow outside your home.

Tags: Snow Tires Performance
Posted in Snow Removal | No Comments »

Tea Tree Oil Benefits

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Tea tree oil is an effective natural remedy for many ailments, due to its curative properties in fighting infections. It is a powerful anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral, which is used in a wide spectrum of conditions.

Tea tree oil should not be confused with tea oil. They come from different plants and have different uses. Tea tree oil is extracted from a plant which is native to Australia, and has been used for a long time by the Aboriginal people on the Eastern Australian coast as an antiseptic in treating various skin problems.

What Are the Most Important Tea Tree Oil Benefits?

Topical Application

Tea tree oil is an effective antiseptic and can be applied on the skin to heal a number of conditions, including:

– Acne

– Blisters

– Warts

– Rashes

– Sun Burns

– Herpes

– Skin Irritation

Oral Care

Used as mouthwash in a water mixture, tea tree oil can remove bad breath, plaque, and can reduce gum inflammation. It can also prevent infections associated with dental surgery. However, it is important to use tea tree oil as directed, and never more than indicated. Tea tree oil should never be swallowed undiluted, because it can have serious side effects due to its powerful ingredients.

Tea Tree Oil Inhalations

Tea tree oil is also used to alleviate or cure respiratory problems, such as sore throat, asthma, and bronchitis. Used in steam inhalations, tea tree oil can cure sore throat and laryngitis, can eliminate mucus, and destroy throat or chest infections. Inhalations are done by pouring a few tea tree oil drops in hot water, and then inhaling the vapors, after covering your head with a towel and leaning over a bowl filled with hot water.

Avoid taking tea tree oil in pure form under any circumstances, because it can cause serious side effects.

Ask an Expert

Interested in aromatherapy or looking for a massage therapy expert? Seva Call can make it easy for you. We can connect you with the right professional in your area in no time.

Tags: Tea Tree Oil Benefits
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Propane Gas Heating Installation and Maintenance

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Propane gas heating offers many advantages for heating homes. Unlike a standard electric furnace, a propane furnace produces hotter air. Compared to other fuel oil furnaces, it runs more efficiently and cleaner. It offers all the benefits of gas heating without the restrictions of being located near a natural gas pipe.

How It Works

Propane gas heating works by using a forced-air blower, which moves hot air through a pipeline network in your home. There are many available propane furnaces with efficiency ratings of 95 or higher, producing air that’s up to 25 degrees hotter than electric heating pumps. For homeowners, the ability of propane gas heating to generate hotter air simply means getting more heat in the home for less of the cost.

Modern propane furnaces are also not just energy-savers but space-savers, too. Many units designed to heat the entire house can fit into small spaces such as utility rooms and even closets. They are also quite durable with an average life span of up to two decades, longer than the average for electric heating pumps.

How to Install and Maintain

Propane gas heating serves the needs of millions of households for home heating. If you’d like to enjoy the benefits of this type of heating, here are some useful tips:

– Rely on a heating professional for installation. A propane gas heating system must be installed only by a qualified service technician with the proper knowledge and training in installing, servicing, and maintaining a propane furnace.

– Teach your household how to detect leaks. Propane has a strong smell like a rotten egg, so it is quite easy to detect if there is any leak just by sniffing. Teach household members how to recognize the smell of propane so you can call a technician in for help at the first sign of a leak.

– Arrange for a yearly checkup. While your propane furnace is built for durability, it’s highly recommended to schedule a yearly professional inspection. When done by a qualified service technician, this inspection will ensure that the critical parts of the system, such as the pilot light and ventilation system, are all running at peak condition.

– You should have the furnace filter changed regularly to help the system stay clean and running efficiently.

Want Propane Gas Heating in Your Home?

For safe and proper installation or maintenance, always rely on a qualified professional. And to find the right professional for free, rely on Seva Call. We can match you with up to three local professionals so you can choose quickly who to work with. Try us today!

Tags: Propane Gas Heating
Posted in Heating and Cooling | No Comments »

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