House maintenance is an absolute necessity for the longevity and quality of a home. The month of March is an ideal time to carry out a lot of maintenance projects because of the spring weather. Temperatures (hopefully) begin to rise during March. Maintenance projects whether in or out of the house can be quite involved and completing them in warmer weather is often ideal. Maintenance is also essential when moving into the summer season. Below are some of the top projects you should consider for the month of March.

Check Your Lighting

The month of March is a great time to replace any broken globes and burnt out bulbs both inside and out that you have been ignoring. Check through all the rooms in the house and get outside and walk around your home to ensure any faulty light fixtures are fixed. Proper lighting outside your home is the first step towards improving your security. Repair where appropriate or replace the whole fixture if necessary. It is also helpful to compare the costs involved. You can consider a replacement of the fixtures if the cost of repairing is higher.

Clean The Gutters

Gutters accumulate all kinds of dirt and leaves over even a short period of time. It may be necessary to clean the gutters more than once a year but March is a good month to do so, especially with the increased amount of rain that could be coming. Clear the leaves and any other foreign bodies that may cause a blockage or water seepage. Poorly maintained gutters can cause harm to a house especially if the problem is ignored. Gutters are meant to direct rainwater away from the building. When the gutters overflow or leak, the water can flow along the walls or keep falling on the foundation.

If they are left unattended, the building can become weak on the affected side and even grow moss or mold! In the long run, this can jeopardize the safety of your home. Ensuring the gutters are regularly cleaned can save you time and money.

Inspect The Roofing

The roof protects you and your properties from rain and other unfriendly conditions. March is the period when the warm weather of Spring begins. It is a perfect time to examine your roof closely. Winter comes along with extreme weather conditions such as snow and ice which might have affected your roofing. Inspecting your roof ensures its perfect to take you through another season of different weather conditions. Fix any curled corners you may notice, cracked shingles and any other issues present. Do not ignore any faults as they can cause more significant trouble and even risk a replacement of the whole roof, which is quite costly.

Inspection Of Air Conditioning

An inspection of your air conditioning is a worthy cause. Replacing an air conditioner can get quite expensive. A regular check by a professional can significantly improve its lifespan and save you the time and money you could have spent. The month of March, the early onset of spring is the time to do this. An inspection during Spring is favorable for both the technician and you. Any testings that require the A/C be off for a little while won’t be so bad. A properly working A/C is also good for the overall health of your family. If not well maintained the A/C can accumulate dirt which will contaminate the air and cause different illnesses among them respiratory diseases. A well maintained A/C also works efficiently and does not create high utility bills.

Home maintenance is a preventive practice. If you embrace it and you may avoid some rather expensive and stressful repairs. It isn’t necessary to complete each one of these items during March but having a plan is one of the most important elements to completing your home maintenance. Many homeowners carry out specific repairs during different times of the year. Choose what works best for you and your budget.

With the cold winter spell upon us, the freezing temperatures can cause your pipes to crack or burst, which can result in significant damage to your plumbing system and your entire home. Fortunately, there are some measures you can take while the weather is still nice to prevent frozen pipes when winter strikes.

Pipe-Wrap Insulation

Pipes that are exposed to open air like basement or attics and do not have proper insulation, tend to freeze more easily. Having them insulated in time could significantly reduce such occurrences. These insulations are typically made of different materials such foil-backed fiberglass, foil-backed natural cotton, fiberglass and plastic among others. It is easy to install the insulation material; all you need to do is slip it around the pipe and tape it in place.

Up The Thermostat

During the cold months, ensure that the thermostat is kept on day and night to keep your pipes healthy. Although this may put much of a dent in your energy bill, it’s a better choice than to deal with the aftermath of a frozen pipe, which may burst and cause water damage. Set the thermostat to at least 55 degrees F (13 degrees Celsius) to keep the temperature constant, well above the freezing point of water. This will also improve warm-air circulation behind the walls and attic where pipes are located.

Turn On The Faucet

Running water through the pipe–even a slow drip–helps prevent pipes from freezing. The little water movement in the pipe disables any water from freezing quite rapidly. However, if you notice the drip has ceased, you may need to increase the flow slightly. The principle behind this is that water in motion has kinetic energy that helps temperature remain above sea level.

Open Cabinet Doors

The exposed pipes running to a kitchen and bathroom sinks are particularly vulnerable to freezing. When the temperatures drop, it is a recommended to keep cabinet and interior doors open so that the heat from the rest of the house keeps the pipes warm. Alternatively, you can place a space heater directed at that area, as an extra measure of cold protection.

What Happens If Pipes Freeze?

Sometimes our best preventive measures aren’t successful. When this happens, here’s what you should do;

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, turn off the main water valve immediately. This is necessary just in case there’s a small crack you’re unaware of because the water is frozen.
• Try to locate the frozen area, which is normally colder than the rest of the pipe. Note: there may be more than one spot if you’ve multiple blockages.
• Open the cold water tap that is closest to the frozen area of the pipe. This will let the water escape safely down the drain when it defrosts.
• Warm the pipe using a hairdryer. Start by warming the sections of the pipe closest to the faucet, and work towards the coldest parts. Once temperatures rise, frozen pipes thaw and water will flow again. In some cases, however, the expansion of the ice causes the pipe to crack or burst. In such cases, you should never operate an electrical device to avoid electrocution.
• After a freeze, inspect the pipe for cracks. You’ll want to know you won’t cause a flood when you turn your main water valve back on.
• Call in a reputable professional plumber to assess the situation and make recommendations.

Bottom Line

With winters getting colder and colder over the years, there are many things that we can do to ease the worry about pipes bursting, and the above insights are simple and can be easily done without hassle.

With temperatures beginning to plunge, it’s time to winterize your home and get ready to save money on those dreaded winter heating bills. A few small adjustments or upgrades can save you a lot of money over the course of those bitter cold and windy Philadelphia winters. Here are a few tips to use to get your home ready for whatever the northeast winter will bring us.

Chimneys And Gutters

It’s important to never underestimate simple maintenance when it comes to winterizing your home. Common items often overlooked by homeowners according to U.S. News and World Reports includes the routine cleaning of chimneys and gutters.

• Clean out your gutters: Do not neglect clogged gutters. Winterizing your home not only includes preparing to heat it but also maintaining certain items such as the gutters which could be problematic in the upcoming winter months. A clogged gutter allows water to turn into ice inside the gutter. A clean gutter will allow snow and rain to flow freely without freezing and causing damage to your home’s structure.
• Sweep the Chimney: If your home is lucky enough to enjoy the beauty, warmth, and luxury of a fireplace, remember this needs to be maintained and prepared for the winter season. In fact, just because you do not have a fireplace, doesn’t mean your chimney shouldn’t be cleaned! Clean your chimney to maintain a safe clean environment. Build up can become a fire hazard.

Furnace Maintenance

• An underperforming furnace or boiler is the easiest way to burn money in the winter. Imagine using gas or electricity to light this furnace and it’s not performing up to par. It can become a frustrating nightmare but is completely avoidable with routine maintenance. Schedule a checkup before temperatures drop. Items such as air ducts, filters, fan belts, and vents need to be inspected, cleaned, or changed. While checking the furnace, saving more money may be possible by turning the water heater to the energy saver setting. Check to see if this is an option for your household to further reduce costs.

Seal Cracks And Drafts

• Checking for cracks: Inspect windows and door jambs. Find the source of any drafts and seal them up. Add weather-stripping to doors that have wide gaps at the bottom. When cold air gets inside the home, it can drive the cost of heating bills through the roof. No one wants to pay additional money when cold air creeps inside your home so make sure to seal all those cracks!
• Thick curtains and fluffy area rugs are common items that can also help tremendously in cutting costs. The added layers these items provide can help to insulate the floors and windows of a home. In addition, ResNet says that siding has a lot to do with how well a home is insulated. It acts as a barrier against cold windy winters and helps keep heat out during the summer. Inspect the siding around unattached homes. Check for cracks, torn pieces, or lifting. The smallest of flaws can have a compounding effect on your home’s insulation and ultimately the property’s heating costs.

Storm Windows

Insulation is winter’s bitter enemy. Block out that cold winter air by properly insulating your home. Not only are cracks and drafts important to address, but the entire home as a whole needs to be insulated from the battering northeast winds. Insulation keeps heat inside where it belongs. Philadelphia Gas Works suggests that improperly installed windows can also contribute to the soaring costs of heating bills. Replace worn out, warped windows with storm windows that will block out drafts and be more wind resistant. This will help keep your home warm.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

With the digital advances of today’s modern technologies thermostats have been upgraded in exciting ways. Many now allow users to control their winter heating costs invariably with programmable thermostats. According to Philadelphia Weekly, an older inaccurate thermostat can provide incorrect readings and force your boiler or furnace to work harder than it needs to. Newer digital and programmable thermostats are more accurate and easier to customize in order to drive heating costs down while you aren’t home or are asleep.

Often you might hear people use the phrase “east, west home is the best”. People have a certain degree of attachment to their homes. To many, a home is a source of comfort and inspiration. However, the ride is not always smooth even at home; several challenges can test you to the limits. Such challenges include the issue of home energy efficiency. Since the turn of the century, we have witnessed an upsurge in home energy consumption that is attributed to the constantly evolving technology. Today, most households receive relatively higher energy bills than they did a decade ago all economic variables held constant. However, there is a silver lining to this predicament; you can make your home energy efficient using a few easy tips. Here’s how

Tips To Make Your Home Energy Efficient

1. Air seal your home; according to energy star air sealing your home is the first step towards achieving home
   energy efficiency. Normally air enters the house through ventilation such as windows and doors that are okay. However, air can still enter through other openings such as wall gaps and gaps near plumbing fixtures. When air enters through these gaps, it brings undesired temperature conditions in the house. This makes air conditioners work for longer to ensure the home is at the desired temperature. Cut down on air conditioning energy cost by contracting a professional constructor to seal the leaks.
2. Check on insulation, having sealed your air leaks it is time you check on your home’s insulation. More often than not heat escapes through un-insulated walls. During summer, atmospheric heat enters your home through the same un-insulated walls. Such trends are inefficient, and they increase the energy costs of cooling your home. Improving your home’s insulation will go a long way in improving the energy efficiency of your home.
3. Install a programmable timer and thermostat, having a programmable thermostat reduces energy wastage at home. During the day while working in the house set a warmer temperature and while everyone is asleep at night set a cooler temperature. A programmable thermostat can do this automatically which improves on efficiency. Efficiency is also about comfort; a programmable thermostat makes the house more comfortable and livable.
4. Use energy saving appliances; refrigerators, lighting bulbs, microwaves, iron boxes and televisions taccount use up significant amounts of energy while turned on. Consider replacing these appliances with ones that can shift to an energy saving mode so they do not consume energy. In the market today you will find energy saving lighting bulbs, energy star rated refrigerators and televisions all which will improve your home’s energy efficiency.
5. Replace your furnace with a highly efficient system; the furnace is like a best friend to people who live in cold areas. However, the furnace is one of the highest energy consumers in a household. It is, therefore, advisable that you replace it with an efficient heating system. You can use energy saving electronics. Preferably a solar heating system is applicable for places with at least six hours of sunshine a day.

Choose To Have An Energy Efficient Home

To many energy is viewed as a liability or expense however with efficiency energy is an asset. Having an energy efficient home is a choice. One that you can make today and enjoy the benefits of energy efficiency that include comfort and lower energy cost. Let the above tips be your foundation towards having an energy efficient home.

The heat of summer is fading, and that means that it’s time for you to start thinking about getting your home ready for cooler fall weather. Fall is all about the leaves turning and digging out your warm clothes. But it’s also about transitioning to much cooler weather, so it pays to be prepared.

Fall Seasonal Changes To Make To Your Home

1. Check for Drafts

You may not feel them much now, but come late fall and winter you’re going to be painfully aware of each and every draft in your house. So it’s best to start checking now so you have time to get any drafts fixed before the weather turns too cold. The obvious locations for drafts are around doors and windows, of course, so start there. Seals and caulking are usually the culprit here. Don’t forget that you can have drafts around power outlets, too, though, so check there as well.

2. Get the Furnace Inspected and Winterize the AC

Since it’s likely been several months since the last time your furnace ran, you need to check it over. An HVAC professional can make sure that it’s running at peak efficiency, and you also need to do a carbon monoxide test as well. Make sure you have a fresh air filter installed. If your air conditioner is a separate unit, you may need to cover it before winter hits. For window units, make sure that you either take them out of the windows or cover them completely so that they don’t allow cold air in.

3. Replace Batteries in Safety Devices

Fall is a good time to test or change the batteries in all of your various safety devices. This of course includes your smoke detectors and your carbon monoxide detectors, but you should also check the batteries in your programmable thermostat. When you test your smoke detectors and other safety devices, you’re looking for them to respond quickly and within the parameters of your user manuals. If they don’t, you need to replace them.

4. Look at the Roof, Gutters, and Siding

Hopefully you can check the majority of your roof from the ground. If you need to, use tools such as binoculars to get a good look. Damaged or missing shingles are a definite concern, because that can lead to leaks when you least want to deal with them. If your roof is flat, you need to make sure that it’s cleared off. Your gutters need to have all of the debris removed from inside. While you do that, look for any leaks or other issues, especially in the downspouts. Give your siding a good inspection, while you’re outside. And if it’s been a while, make sure that you power wash it, too.

5. Check Out Fireplace Issues

If your home has a fireplace, contact a chimney sweep to have your chimney both cleaned and inspected. Chimneys are famous for collecting debris, bird nests, and all sorts of other concerns. Once the fireplace is clean and declared functional, fire it up just to make sure. You don’t want to wait until you really need it to find out that the fireplace isn’t working properly. Stock up on firewood, and then you’ll be ready to go.

6. Store Lawn Equipment and Ready Winter Equipment

You won’t need your lawnmower, your trimmer, and assorted other lawn equipment during fall and winter. Empty the gas out of gas-powered items and make sure that cords are not frayed on electric items. Wrap the cords tightly and secure them, and then get your lawn equipment stored safely in the garage or shed. You’re probably going to be swapping these tools out for winter equipment, such as snow blowers and similar items. Get those winter items filled with gas and test them out.

Fire Up the Generator

Lastly, get your generator ready. Hopefully you won’t need your generator much over the fall and winter, but you need to make sure that it’s in working order now. Fill it with gas and make sure that you have a can of gas in reserve for emergencies. Fire up the generator and test that it powers everything that you need it to run if the power should cut off.

By this point, you should be ready to go for fall and winter. Now you can rest up, enjoy the leaves, and sip on hot cocoa.

The Digital Age has made it possible for even the smallest businesses to process enormous amounts of data at speeds that would have been impossible in earlier times. Given the importance of fair and accurate information to business success, it should come as no surprise to learn that this has had a transformative effect across all industries. One such example is construction, which has never lacked construction companies eager to seize the opportunities that can come from new techniques and technologies.

Examples of How Data Usage is Transforming the Construction Industry

Here are some examples of the changes in the construction industry brought on by its data usage:

Record-keeping

Like other businesses, construction companies have to collect a lot of information over the course of their activities. For example, businesses have to keep track of their materials so that more can be purchased as the need comes up,  not to mention their accounts with their suppliers so that cash can be paid out according to the agreed-upon schedules. Other examples include but are not limited to payrolls, progress reports, and even technical details for their construction projects.

New data solutions have made record-keeping for all of these activities both simpler and less time-consuming, thus saving construction companies much time and effort that could be put to better use on their construction sites. Better still, these same solutions have also made it much easier to compile raw data into usable formats, thus increasing ease of us and improving communication within the business.

Monitoring

The increased ease of collecting and compiling data means that construction companies can keep track of more factors than ever before. As a result, businesses can better monitor the progress being made on their construction projects, which serves to minimize the number of errors in the same. Since these potential issues can cost both construction companies and their clients precious time and resources even when caught and corrected in time, improved monitoring is making modern construction companies both more efficient and more effective than their predecessors. Something that can benefit their clients as well as the construction companies.

Planning

Over time, construction companies accumulate more and more data that can be used as a source of information for their decision-making. For example, construction companies that have retained the records of their expenses for past construction projects have a much easier time estimating the budgets for their current construction projects. Better still, those estimates are also fairer and more accurate since they have a more solid basis in the form of real numbers rather than figures pulled out of imperfect guesswork. Likewise, construction companies can also use this accumulated data to pinpoint problems in their operations, which can be solved to make them ever more productive.

On an industry level, the availability of this information is also interesting in that it is making it easier and easier for construction companies to pick up on broad trends and make changes based on those predictions.

Looking Towards the Future

It seems probable that current trends regarding data usage will continue in the future. New techniques and technologies will continue to be introduced, making them more useful and thus more attractive to construction companies determined to remain on the cutting edge of competition. If you are looking for construction apps go here.

Individuals that work in the construction sector can look forward to job and salary increases over the next few years. These predictions are from the fact of aging buildings, deteriorating infrastructures and population growth. For those that are skilled in their trade, this indicates good job opportunities. According to information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics; the expected growth, the projected increase of salary, and wage jobs could grow by 19% through 2018. Interestingly, the positions of construction helpers, such as those helping with roofing, painting, and plasterers, is expected to drop.

Residential & Non-Residential Changes

The demand for housing is expected to increase as the eldest children of baby boomers are reaching their peak in house-buying. Senior housing and healthcare residences are also expected to grow (read the report here). Renovation of older homes is a constant source of work. Remodeling prospects are good as many older homes that are smaller are usually remodeled to offer more space to buyers. Should the trend in new home construction drop, repairs and remodeling will rise. Overall, residential construction looks promising. Contractor work in the residential area will increase.

The need for medical treatment facilities and senior living housing is predicted to grow as the population of elderly continues to climb. Just as the population of elderly is growing, so is that of the young in the South and West. There is a need for new schools in these areas. The construction of schooling continues to hinge on government budgets. While industrial plants may not see a lot of new construction and building, they may see remodeling or replacement. As society’s need for more power grows, so will heavy construction. Civil engineering construction and repair will see an increase during this time frame also. Specialty trades for remodeling and reconstruction will be on the rise.

Employment Prospects

Just as the construction sector will fluctuate, so will employment opportunities. The forecast for skilled construction workers is good. A large turnover is expected as workers leave the trade, making room for other workers. Younger workers that are skilled and experienced will fill positions as older workers retire. Positions that require more strenuous working skills normally have a higher turnover. This trend will continue. Due to the large amount of individuals entering the construction work force, there will be a big competition for those entering the field for jobs that don’t require special skills.

As with any employment sector, the economy and growth of society will predict how well the increase of construction work will be. The turnover of elderly moving into senior housing and the baby boomer children purchasing homes will affect the sector, as will government budgets for schooling and civil engineering. Retirement of seasoned, skilled workers will make room for a new generation of workers.

Although we tend to equate construction site deaths with workers falling off scaffoldings, mechanical equipment failures or unexpected building collapses, the most recent construction site death involved a New Jersey man delivering drywall to construction site, read the full report here.

A one pound tape measure that became dislodged from a worker’s belt fell 50 stories, ricocheted off construction equipment about 10 feet from the ground and hit the man on the head. The victim, Gary Anderson, was rushed to the hospital but later died of his injuries. He was not wearing a hard hat at the time of the accident.

Usually, a one pound object isn’t capable of inflicting fatal brain trauma. However, the force behind the tape measure was so strong that it caused Anderson to experience immediate and heavy bleeding in the brain, incredible pressure build-up between the brain and skull and extensive damage due to the sheer power of a solid object falling from an extreme height and striking the skull.

It was a terribly unfortunate accident that could have been prevented if Anderson had followed one of the primary rules of construction site safety–always wear a hard hat.

5 Ways To Keep Construction Sites Safe

1. When getting on and off equipment, check your boots for excess mud, oil or lubricants that could make you slip and use gripping gloves to secure your hold. If there is no foot or hand holds on the equipment, use a step ladder to safely leave or access large machinery.

2. Another common construction site accident involve misjudging a machine’s swing radius. Prevent the possibility of someone getting struck by, roping off the swing radius area (allowing for extra room) and forbidding anyone except workers to enter the area. Use spotters if necessary to make sure no one wanders into the swing radius area.

3. All large construction vehicles are equipped with backup alarms. However, these alarms should never be depended on to guarantee assured clearance. Operators should always inspect the area behind their vehicle before backing up, preferably by getting off of the vehicle and physically examining the area for the presence of people, animals or objects that could cause an accident.

4. Housekeeping is often neglected at construction sites because workers are so focused on getting the job done. Consequently, discarded items, holes in the ground, loose wiring and other debris that isn’t picked up, put away or thrown away are accidents waiting to happen.

5. OSHA’s lock out/tag out rule covers the identification of a machine’s “pinch points” and protecting them from unauthorized access by locking them with LOTO tags. Noncompliance with LOTO guidelines could cost a construction company hefty penalties if workers are caught disregarding LOTO procedures.

For more information about construction site, especially in the winter time read our blog here.