Is your home providing you the protection you need? Knowing you’re safe in your home is at the top of the list for most homeowners.
We found this article by Ray Mercer about this very topic and wanted to share it with you. Mercer is a blog contributor at Home Security System. He’s worked for various websites dealing with the concepts of home improvement and security systems.
When you’re remodeling your home, it is a good time to think about adding and improving features that can enhance the quality of your property. This can involve any number of specific projects, of course, but one of the most important aspects of any home that ought to be consistently updated is your home security system. Of course, an effective home security system is necessary for keeping you, your family, and all of your possessions safe and comfortable. But it is also something that can be updated and tested regularly to ensure working order, and something that, if high quality, can truly enhance the value of your home. So, with this in mind, here are a few tips for how to improve your own security system.
If you are already remodeling your home, it is a great time to consider what you want specifically in your house alarm. Generally, the alarm is the main aspect of any home security system, and serves many purposes: it alerts you to the presence of intruders, often scares these intruders off, and notifies the authorities that help is needed. However, there are different types of house alarms, and once you choose one it is difficult to switch. Seeing as it can be easier to install some types of systems while already remodeling, now may be the perfect time to choose whether you want a hardwired or wireless alarm. Here are some pros and cons of each type of house alarm:
Hardwired Alarms – Generally, the main drawback to hardwired alarm systems is that they require remodeling for installation. However, once again, if you are already working on home renovations, it may be well worth considering a hardwired system, simply for the fact that these systems are often cheaper, and require fewer updates.
Wireless Alarms – These are the simpler systems to install, as they do not require remodeling or renovation, but instead only require the placement of sensors at window and door entrances to your home. However, wireless alarms can be a bit more expensive, and can also require consistent updates, replacements, etc.
Ultimately, the good thing about making this decision is that both systems are extremely effective with regard to performing their tasks. However, as you go about setting up your home, you will need to choose one at some point – and, if you wish to leave the option of a hardwired system open for consideration, the best time to think about this is if you are already remodeling.
If you’re considering a home alarm system or security system, call Stebnitz Builders at 800.410.8027 and we can get you started to a great home improvement experience while making your home a safer place to live.
Leah Thayer, owner of d5R, an industry writer that brings remodelers the most current and interesting information to help run a successful business and create great relationships with their clients, featured Stebnitz Builders in her post today. Leah has used us several times as a resource for other remodeling companies around the country. It’s nice to know we’re doing things right in the eyes of our peers.
If you’re not using Pinterest, try it out by checking our site out. We’d love to show you around.
As many know, everyone at Stebnitz Builders has a laser-like focus on ensuring we hear everything our clients wish us to know. As we continue Perfecting the Art of Listening, we are also aware of the many new ways there are for people to reach out to us for many different reasons. This is why we have dramatically expanded our focus in the social media over the last several months.
DIY Tips, product information, the latest happenings at Stebnitz Builders and even a little humor (some may say VERY little) can be found on our many social media destinations. If you haven’t connected with us, yet, we’d love to see you! Simply click on any of the icons below and you’ll be up to speed on all things home improvement.
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Check in at our showroom!
However you choose to connect with us, we look forward to sharing with you home improvement information and insight regarding how to operate your home. To contact us directly, email us at:
Warmer weather and longer days always make our day a little brighter and cheerier. Soon we’ll be relaxing outdoors instead of running from it in seek of warmth and shelter from the weather.
But, what about your home? With nicer weather comes a shift in the way we live in our homes. Is your home ready for the demands warmer weather brings? March is the perfect time to be checking and planning for those home improvement projects to be completed before your relaxation plans are interrupted by last-minute or forgotten “honey-do” lists.
Home Maintenance Made Simple
Here are some checklists you can use to make sure your spring and summer provide you with all the pampering you deserve after our winter’s wrath – despite how relatively easy it might have been this year.
Remember to check your smoke detectors are working properly. Replace the batteries twice a year whether they need it or not - it's better to be EXTRA safe than sorry.
Home Owner Tasks to Keep Your Family Safe
Test smoke and carbon monoxide batteries – replace if needed.
Change furnace filters at least quarterly and more frequently if they’re very dirty.
Clean humidifiers (and dehumidifiers) weekly when using them.
Clean dryer lint traps, behind the dryer and make sure they’re venting to the outside properly.
Clean up your yard and prepare garden for planting. Check lawn mower blades and sharpen as needed.
Check outside walkways, stairs and railings and repair anything loose. Even when your family doesn’t use the front door,it’s wise to prepare for guests.
Get your air conditioning ready for the hot weather rather than waiting for the last minute rush as you might not have time, and your HVAC company might be scheduled out for weeks.
Check exterior lights, garage doors, gates and doorbell. It’s always easier to fix problems before there’s an accident.
Keep Your Home Dry and Safe from Water Damage
Remember that storm (or 2) you had over the winter, or maybe you were lucky not to be home … but your house was still there, standing up to all the elements and the damage they cause. Once the weather is nice you’ll want to check your roof, siding, caulking, etc., for any sign of leaks or damage. Fixing problems quickly will help you avoid your home’s #1 enemy, water damage. By doing this sooner, you can also avoid any problems if you happen to get too many “April showers”.
Curled or lifted shingles are a sure sign that your roof is no longer acting as a secure barrier against water infiltration. A roof with shingles like this needs replacing immediately.
Homeowner Task to Keep Your Home Dry
Inspect for roof leaks. Outside you can use a ladder, binoculars or a digital camera to find damaged or missing shingles. You can also discover leaks by inspecting the roof from the attic.
Check your chimney, skylights, vent pipes and anything that sticks up from your roof, i.e. where water can penetrate the seams. If you’re getting water in the chimney, consider adding a chimney cap.
Check gutters and downspouts to make sure they’re draining properly and away from the house. Tighten up loose parts and clean as needed.
Inspect all exterior wood – wood siding, trim, windows, door kick plates, etc for peeling or cracked paint which indicates that water can get into your home. Re-caulk, repair and paint them as the weather warms up to save time and money. If you’re tired of this maintenance item, upgrade trim to less maintenance products like LP’s SmartSide Siding or a non-wood product like Azek.
Check doors and windows to make sure glass is air-tight, and you’re able to open and close properly. Re-caulk and replace weather stripping as needed. If certain rooms are drafty, consider replacing with more energy efficient windows which will make your home more comfortable, and lower your utility bills.
Check decks, stair railings, steps and other wood structures. Repair and/or replace rotted wood and seal to help the wood last longer.
It’s best to check your exterior faucets and irrigation systems before you need to start watering the lawn or garden. Always be prepared to turn the water off quickly, in case a pipe burst over the winter.
Energy, Money and the EnvironmentSave
Everyone gets excited when they can spend more time outdoors, so it’s the perfect time to get some exercise and enjoy the fresh air. You’ll want to look at all aspects of your home that affect how comfortable you are indoors – screen doors and windows, air conditioners and don’t forget the ceiling fans which you need to reset (hint: Counter Clockwise Cooler).
Counter-Clockwise Keeps Cooler!
Homeowner Task to Keep Your Home Comfortable
Inspect storm doors and windows. Repair as needed before putting away for the winter. Swap for screens & check those for holes so you can fix them now.
Install window A/Cs and/or remove covers from wall units … then check to see that they’re operating properly. Schedule maintenance for central air conditioning systems. It may also be a good time to get those ducts cleaned after a winter of heavy usage.
Change direction of your fan – you want the fan to turn counter clockwise to pull warm air up and away from you. Make sure they’re operating smoothly and quietly. Need your blades balanced and running quietly? Check out this blog for a quick – and CHEAP – fix.
Check your hot water heater – pressure relief valve and anode rod. Draining your tank once a year to remove sediments is a good idea (check manufacturer’s instructions).
Miscellaneous
There are also some miscellaneous items that didn’t fall into the categories above. They’re things you do outdoors and have fun as you’ll enjoy the results all summer long, especially when the family and neighbors arrive.
Miscellaneous Homeowner Tasks
Pressure wash your vinyl-sided home, wood decks and/or porch when they start to look dirty. Inspect for mold (green or black) and research the best chemicals to use to remove them.
Clean windows and outdoor yard furniture. Pickup debris around downspouts and vents, clean garbage cans. Don’t forget to give your gas grill a good cleaning prior to firing it up for the season.
As always, if you’re unsure about how to complete these home improvement projects, or just don’t have the time or patience to get them done before the nice weather finally arrives, a Stebnitz Builders Professional is only a phone call away. Line up your Handyman Professional by calling 800.410.8027.
I saw a blog post from our friends at Burgin Construction about the perils of taking on certain DIY home improvement projects and I thought it was worth passing along.
I understand. I’ve been there myself many times. The faucet has been dripping and you think to yourself, “C’mon… it can’t be THAT hard to tighten it up and stop the leak.” Or, “There’s only two wires in there. How hard can it be to move that electrical box over?” Most of us can relate to Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor and his “never give-up” attitude to do for himself, regardless of how big the mess he was creating.
But, there are DIY projects you can experiment with and there are other projects that need to be left to the professionals. Below are the Top 5 Projects to Leave to the Professionals
Roofing Repairs – Even if you take out the obvious danger of crawling around on the roof and trying to pinpoint the exact area of the leak, this is still a job for the pros. All too often, do it yourselfers end up causing more damage to the roof in other areas due to lack of knowledge and generally any repairs made are at best a band-aid, not a cure.
Gas Line or Appliance Repairs – Whether it is an actual furnace, an oven, a hot water heater, or even a gas dryer, this is one area that is always best left to a pro. Gas is a silent and deadly killer in more than 400 homes each year and all it takes is a small leak to lead to tragedy. It’s just not worth the risk to your family to save a bit of money.
Electrical Repairs – While hanging a ceiling fan or updating light switches are generally easy tasks, they can also lead to a false sense of confidence in your electrical abilities. Many electrical projects require permits and a professional electrician is required. If your home is in need of some electrical repairs, leave it to certified and licensed electricians to get the job done correctly and safely for you.
Plumbing Repairs – Ever wonder why plumbing companies always make commercials where the wife wants to call a plumber, the husband says he can do it himself and then, after part of the house is flooded and more damage is done, he finally gives in and she calls the plumber? It’s one of the oldest “home repair nightmare” stories and just about everyone knows someone who has dealt with this type of situation. While it may seem fairly harmless, water is a destructive force within a home. It doesn’t take long for it to completely ruin drywall, flooring, paint, cabinetry and more. And, if quick fix repairs are made after a leak, you could miss some of the deeper damage to beams and joists caused by a longtime slow leak. It’s best to leave these projects to the professionals, just make sure they’re wearing a belt before they start!
Last but not least – Any Project Beyond Your Skills & Knowledge – Many people are handy around the house and able to tackle some repairs themselves. But, sometimes we get a bit overconfident and overestimate our abilities. If you aren’t absolutely sure you can make the repair, aren’t familiar with the tools required for the project, do not have someone to help you with it, have never done a similar project before or just don’t feel comfortable with doing it yourself – call a pro. Trust me, it will cut down on medical bills, save money and help you to avoid fights with your significant other!
Stebnitz Builders has been managing the small projects in our clients’ homes for 40 years – and we’ve gotten pretty good at it. If you have a project on the list above, or if there’s something else going on in your home that you’re not quite sure how to handle, call us at (800) 410-8027 and let a Stebnitz Builders Professional check another item off of your “Honey-Do List”.
MSO is on the road to UW-Whitewater's Young Auditorium Feb. 29th - Sponsored by Stebnitz Builders
Stebnitz Builders is excited to announce that we are the Performance Sponsor for the upcoming Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performance at Young Auditorium on February 29th at 7:30pm.
The magnificent Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra has been gracing the Young Auditorium stage annually for 18 years, and they just keep getting better. This season the MSO will be joined by special guest soloist, Cellist, Scott Tisdel!
The MSO is returning to Whitewater with a program of instrumental favorites, including the famous Hebrides overture and a George M. Cohan medley. Stuart Chafetz described the feeling of conducting this orchestra as, “It’s wonderful the wall of sound you get standing on that podium. It’s an amazing phenomenon to hear those 80 – 100 people play with such passion and fire.”
Join us to once again experience the passionate and fiery wall of sound that is the MSO! Tickets are available online or by calling the UW-W ticket office at (262) 472-2222.
A magical night of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is coming to UW-Whitewater's Young Auditorium on February 29th!
Stebnitz Builders, Perfecting the Art of Listening
Many have heard or seen that we’ve moved our offices and showroom from our home of over 20 years to a more visible and convenient location for our clients.
Our new location is right on E Geneva St (or HWY 50) as you come in to Delavan. Stop by and see us!
While the original building was a great home for so many years, the new location is a better fit to provide the type of experience our clients are now asking for.
Want to see? Come on in!
We hope you’ve enjoyed the tour of our new home and we would love to have you stop by and see it in person sometime.
If you’re considering a new project for your home, call us at (800) 410-8027 or stop by for your own visit. We’ll be here, ready to listen!
Check out Stebnitz Builders and discuss your home improvement questions and plans with us at booth #108 during the Home Improvement Expo this weekend. With renovations to the event itself, the Home Improvement Expo aims to deliver a whole new experience.
This is the Expo booth layout from last year. Just like the even itself, we've done some improvement to our booth this year. See the exciting changes we made to our booth, this weekend at the Grand Geneva!
Lakeland Builders Association has added more features to their annual home expo, starting with the name. Now called The Lake Geneva Home Improvement Expo, the event takes place Feb. 18-19.
For the third year, the expo will be held at the The Forum Convention Center at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva.
Every year, Wisconsin winter hits and we hear the same question from homeowners. “Can you complete my project in the winter?” The answer is, “Of course!”
Along with the many interior projects we complete, there are many exterior projects we are able to complete during the winter including replacement windows, gutters, siding, decking and even roofing. Our installation services are not seasonal, but year-round. While scheduling can be a little bit tricky due to weather delays, as long as it’s safe for our carpenters to be working in it, our guys will be out on the job.
Work continues even after an overnight snowfall on a cottage addition on Delavan Lake. Unless temps become dangerously low, Stebnitz Builders continues to complete projects even in the winter months.
We even take extra steps to keep your home comfortable during projects like a window replacement. Our carpenters make sure to remove their shoes/boots when entering your home. We use plastic covering and drop clothes to protect your floors and furniture throughout the areas we’re working. We also make sure to keep doors to adjacent rooms we’re not working in, closed as another barrier to any possible air or dust infiltration. During most window replacement installations, the actual time the opening left without a window is very short. While the window is removed, the opening is covered in plastic to eliminate any significant heat loss. Just like projects we perform in the summer, our clients are extremely happy with how smoothly their installation goes, and even happier when they feel how much warmer their home is with new windows.
Whether you’re considering a new roof, new windows, new deck or finally putting that addition on, Stebnitz Builders is able to handle any project at any time of the year.
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