Save up to $80 per year with this small task

Mr. Handyman service technicians have been in dozens of home's attics this winter inspecting roof and ice damming damage. What we have noticed in 90% of the attics is that the access door in not insulated in any way. Most of these access panels were in the living space, a closet or hallway. These homeowners are paying good money heating the air that is escaping through the uninsulated access panel. Most of these panels are made out of a piece of plywood or drywall and they are pushed up out of the way to gain access into the attic.

For about $30-$40 a 'somewhat handy' person could purchase enough 1 1/2 inch foam insulation, construction adhesive (liquid nails) and a roll of sticky-back foam weather-stripping to do this small project on their own. You could use the panel as a template to cut 2 layers of the rigid foam, glue them to the top side of the panel so it it two layers thick. Then apply the weather-stripping to the framework of the panel to form a nice fit when it is put back in place.

The added insulation and weather-stripping could save you upwards of $80.00 in heating and cooling costs per year as well as helping your home stay more comfortable when it is really cold out.

Handyman Dan and daughter Jordyn

Someone with a quick triggered camera got this photo recently.

SAVING FOR HOME MAINTENANCE

Tax-refund season is upon us so do you 'want' that big-screen TV or 'should' you put some money away for future home maintenance? Wants or needs, it boils down to these very simple principles. I want this but I know I'll need that fairly soon.

Experts in the home repair industry typically recommend spending 1-3 percent (per year) of the home's value on maintenance tasks alone, not considering repairs. Repair cost estimates could be 5-10 times that amount. The trick is to spend as little as possible in home repairs while you live there so you end up in a positive cash situation if/when you sell your home. The only way I know to keep repair costs down is to spend properly and efficiently on your home's yearly maintenance tasks. As stated many times before "Spend hundred$ now in maintenance or spend thou$and$ later in repairs." It is generally about a 10:1 ratio.

If you follow our monthly maintenance advice and complete the items we suggest you will ultimately save on maintenance and repair costs. If the maintenance involves tasks that you cannot complete yourself or if it requires a professional (replacing wood trim around the windows, HVAC maintenance, or properly caulking by the tub, kitchen sink or around windows) then give Mr. Handyman a call. We have the expertise and knowledge to accomplish most home maintenance tasks.

With the tightening of the money belt in today's economy and the possibility of inflation causing your hard-earned dollar to buy less in the future, saving where you can just makes great financial sense. We have offered several tips to save with energy-efficiency items on this blog site as well. Just look for a related article on the right side of the main page.

Winter Road Safety Tips

Winter weather survival includes being prepared for automobile accidents and weather-induced delays. Accidents can be multi-vehicle but frequently sliding off into a ravine due to road conditions is the most dangerous. Being prepared for winter conditions can make the difference between life and death if you find yourself in this predicament.

Important things to remember:

It starts with the basics; give your car a thorough pre-season check every fall. If you don’t know how or don’t have the time, have an automotive professional do it for you. Check fluid levels, wiper blade condition, belt condition, headlight and taillights, and similar items. Keep the fuel tank full and the cell-phone charged.

When traveling in harsh winter weather be sure someone knows when to expect you at your destination, and what route you will be taking. If conditions become dangerous and appear to be getting worse, STOP. If it is sensible to return the way you came, do so.

If stranded and you must use your car engine to heat the vehicle, always check to make sure the exhaust tailpipe is clear. A blocked tail pipe can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and death. Be sure to open a window when you are running the engine, and try not to run the engine over 10 minutes in every hour. Use foil or space blankets and duct tape to cover windows and reflect your heat back to you.

Use a bright cloth, rags or tape to mark the car’s antenna and any signs or posts nearby. A vehicle in the snow quickly becomes invisible unless you make an effort to be seen.

DO NOT leave your vehicle unless you can SEE a building or home to evacuate to, or it is unsafe to remain in your vehicle. If you leave your vehicle to go cross-country or down the road, leave a note in the vehicle so rescuers know which way to proceed.

Know the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite. Be sure to wear a wool cap or other insulating hat to prevent heat loss. Be particularly careful with children, who aren’t as aware of the danger they may be in or their body symptoms.

Home Maintenance Savings

Nationally syndicated columnist Liz Pullman Weston's has a recent article about preventive home maintenance and saving for the bigger ticket items (furnace, roof repairs, etc.).


I'm not the only person proclaiming it! Save a lot of dough $$$ by performing the preventative maintenance!


My motto is....."Spend hundred$ now on home maintenance or thou$and$ later in repairs!"


Read Liz's article here.

October - Fire Safety Month

Fire safety month is here once again. Please do not put these very important tasks off. Do them now while it's fresh on your mind. Too many souls are lost each year to improper planning and lack of fire safety knowledge.



Clean and change batteries in all smoke and fire detectors. Use the canned air you can purchase for computer keyboards and blow each one out. Change the batteries and push the test button to ensure proper operation.



Have at least 2 fire extinguishers available for use in an emergency escape from the home. Check the gauges to ensure they are fully charged. Replace any that are in the red on the gauge. Buy a new ABC (CO2 extinguisher) for most home applications. One should be kept near the kitchen for small stove fires and at least one near the bed rooms for use during an escape.



Have a plan of escape for the family and practice it blind-folded at least twice a year with the whole family. Gather at a predetermined neighbor's home and check that all got out. Visit the National Fire Protection Association website for cool educational games for the children and tips for parents at http://www.nfpa.org


If you have a 2 or 3-story home consider an emergency escape ladder. Mr. Handyman only installs PEARL Protected ladders because they are the best and most cost-effective escape ladders on the market. Go to their website http://pearlprotected.com for more information. We keep several in stock at our office. They make great gifts for family members with children and a 2 or 3-story home.

September is National Disaster Prepardness Month

The three basic steps to prepare for any type of disaster that may affect your family's well-being are.

1. Create an emergency preparedness kit. This should include one to draw from in the event you may be stuck in the home for extended periods of time (need for food, water, flashlight, radio, blankets etc) or one that you will need to bolt from the house (in the case of a local chemical leak, flood, etc.)

2. Make a plan to follow when disaster strikes. Discuss the plan with family members and keep copies that you may take with you. It should include point of contacts and places to go in an emergency event.

3. Stay informed. Keeping up with local radio, TV and emergency hotlines may save your life. The hand-crank radios are a great addition to any emergency kit.