How to Safely Clean Your Roof

Roof cleaning is essentially a task that a homeowner must perform, but it can also be tedious, difficult, and dangerous. In order to ensure that you do not get injured or cause any property damage while cleaning your roof, it is vital that you take certain precautions and avoid certain behaviors. Roof Cleaning Jacksonville Fl professionals I always use check them out.

This Doesn’t Look Welcoming

If you plan on cleaning your roof by going on the roof, first make sure that you can safely walk on the surface of the roof. This not only means making sure that the roof is not wet and slippery, but also making sure that the angle of the roof in not too steep for you to safely traverse it. It also means wearing well-fitting shoes that have rubber slip-resistant soles. You should also utilize eye and skin protection. If you have doubts about your ability to safely walk on the roof, you should strongly consider hiring a professional. If you are going to be throwing any debris off of the roof, or if there is a risk of you accidentally knocking anything down, be sure to be constantly cognizant of the ground below you and make sure that zone remains clear of persons, pets, and property.

Some people recommend using a power washer to clean your roof, but that is a bad idea as it can knock shingles loose and cause damage to the roof. The best way to clean your roof is with a non-corrosive and environmentally friendly chemical, although there are other types of chemicals available that some people recommend. In lieu of a power washer, a simple garden hose with a sprayer nozzle is recommended. Additionally, there are specialized tools available for sale at most hardware stores that you may consider purchasing. Be sure to know the risks associated with whatever chemical you choose and make sure to use the proper protective gear. Additionally, follow all the instructions for any equipment that you utilize.

After selecting a chemical, you should spray the roof and allow the chemical to sit for 15-20 minutes. Make sure you are thorough and hit as much of the roof as possible. Before you spray the roof, make sure to remove any furniture or other items from any area where the chemicals might land so as to avoid property damage. The chemicals can have a wide over spray area, so take this into consideration when deciding how big of an area to clear. After the chemicals have sat for 15-20 minutes, rinse them off using a low-pressure hose. Make sure you spray every area, making sure to spray off all the dirt and debris.

The bottom line is that roofs need to be cleaned, but no one has to be injured and no property has to be damaged in the process. If you follow the proper precautions, the chances of you being injured or damaging property while cleaning your roof can be greatly reduced.

DIY Vinyl Fencing Repair

So you have a problem with your vinyl fence. There is no need to hire an expensive contractor. This repair can be an easy do it yourself job. Vinyl fences in Tampa are very popular and add a very attractive quality to the appearance of a home. They are also low maintenance. They are generally made of non-porous material that is easy to clean. This makes the fence more durable, and it will not crack because of water freezing in the grain, as other fences do. While this type of fence is low maintenance, there are some situations where a little work is required. You may need to repair a crack or hole in your vinyl fence.

This Here Will Not Do

The first step in repair is to clean the fence. The section where the problem is located should be cleaned before beginning the job. It should be free of any dirt or debris. This can be done with a clean cloth accompanied by a cleaning solution. A recommended cleaning solution is one made of water and dish detergent. After this, you should rinse the fence off in its entirety, and dry the area with another separate cloth.

  The next step is to sand the whole or crack int the fence. The easiest way to do this is by obtaining a piece of medium grit sandpaper and wrapping around a small block of wood securely. Using an electric sander will cause unnecessary damage. It may even cause gouging of the vinyl or removing material that does not need to be removed. The goal here is only to smooth out any edges around the hole or burs that may be near the area. Rubbing the sandpaper with an area of about 3 inches should be good enough to continue with the repair.

Filling a hole should be done with expanding foam. If the hole is larger than one inch, this is the way to go to repair it. Spraying the foam directly in the hole and filling in as much of the fence as you can will ensure a great repair. The foam should be sprayed slowly to make sure it has time to expand. The foam should be allowed to dry overnight before continuing the repair process.

The expanding foam will need to be sawed off the next day. This step can be done with a small handsaw, where you will remove the excess foam from the fence. It is best to cut as close to the fence as possible. Next, sand the foam and smooth out the surface. You should concave the foam to form an inward dent in the fence. After the sanding is complete, you should clean the fence the same way as before the repair. Looking at the concave indent that was made during the sanding, the plastic filler can be used to fill the hole and smooth out the surface of the fence. Finally, you should sand and paint the repaired area to make sure it look uniform with the rest of the fence. This do it yourself repair will be sure to last, and is easy and low-cost.

DIY Paver Sealcoating

Paver sealcoating is a great way to enhance the life of your asphalt driveway, brick, or paver patio or driveway. A sealant is a way to prevent the surface to absorb moisture. If you would like to pay a professional then you should google something like asphalt paving in tampa or where you live. It can also prevent eroding, and make stains make it easier to remove. A sealed driveway can also improve the appearance of your driveway and make it look newer, instead of an older driveway that looks old and drab. Services related to sealing can be offered by paving installation businesses, but all of the materials that you need can be bought at home improvement stores. This makes is completely possible to perform paver sealcoating yourself.

The first step to paver sealcoating is choosing the type of sealer that you will need. This starts with calculating the square footage of the area that you will need to seal. Next, you can go to your local home improvement store and choose a sealer. The employees should be able to steer you to the right sealer just to make sure you have chosen the correct one for your job. It is also important to choose a sealant that is not water-based, but rather solvent-based. Water-based sealant will not be able to stand the wear and tear that a drive-way undergoes.

The next step to beginning your sealcoating job is to clean the surface. The paver driveway needs to be completely clean and dry. It is best to check the weather forecast before starting a project like this, so that you are not interrupted by possible rain. The cleaning should start with a simple sweeping of the driveway, then pressure washing. An extra step could include using a household detergent to clean as well, but, if this is done, pressure washing should be repeated to make sure there is no leftover residue from the detergent.

The third step follows the driveway being left to dry overnight. Then, you can begin sealing. Reading the safety precautions and label on the sealant is vital, to make sure you are aware of any possible hazards. When applying the sealant, you should start in a corner and use a pain roller to apply the sealant over the surface evenly. Sealants can also be applied with a spray device which can be rent. It is acceptable and in fact, recommended to apply a second coat once the first coat is dry. This is done to add to the appearance of the driveway, giving it a wet look.

Finally, the last step is drying and cleanup is the last part of the process. You should at least 3 hours pass before setting foot on the driveway, and at least 24 hours before driving over it. Repeating this process once every two years will provide the best durability for your driveway. This simple do it yourself process can be done in as little as one weekend, and will save you lots of time and money. By doing it yourself, you can surely ensure a job well-done, and paver sealcoating that will last and add protection for your paver driveway.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_sealer

DIY Water Pipe Replacement…It’s possible

Owning or renting a home sometimes comes up with periodic repairs that are necessary in order to keep it in great condition. Water pipe replacement is one of those necessary repairs, and can be easily done in your home, by you, in just a few simple steps.

Water supply pipes are placed to keep the water flowing from its source into various places in your home. Often, a small water pipe that supplies water from the water company’s main reservoir in the street to your home can become damaged, and this results in low flow to the house. This means that new installments, like a new sprinkler system, will become problematic. It may take more valve circuits put in place, or even installing a large water pipe to improve the water pressure and flow.

To begin replacing the water pipe, the first step is to call 811. 811 is an informational service available everywhere in the United States. It is necessary for any digging job. Calling this number will ensure that you will not hit any important utility lines when digging to replace your new pipe. Even small projects like the simple planting of trees of shrubs require a call to 811. If you do happen to hit a utility line, you may be responsible for fines and fees associated with the damage and the lost service cost. The 811 service will send a person out to your property to mark any locations that may be dangerous to dig in. This way you will know you are avoiding hazards. In addition, this will help you locate where the existing water supply pipe is located, another essential step for the replacement process.

It’s not as hard as it looks… But you’ll definitely need the proper equipment

After locating the necessary water main pipes and knowing that hazards will be avoided, it is essential to get a plumping permit. This is required in many areas to replace water supply pipes or even to cut into the pipe itself. Contacting the local building authorities will take care of any issues that may arise in this area. You will be able to make sure that what you are doing is safe and responsible. The next step to replacing your water pipe is to excavate around the water main in the street and the location where the water pipe will connect to the home. This will allow you to plot the supply pipe. You will then need to connect the two excavations, digging a trench that will get them down to the level of the existing pipe.

The next important step is to calculate how much pipe you will need. You should also take into consideration any fittings and connectors that you will need to complete the installation. A recommended pipe is PVC Schedule 40 pipe. Upgrading a quarter of an inch more from the old pipe to the PVC pipe is also recommended. To obtain these materials, visiting a local hardware store or home improvement store will help you achieve this goal. Also, remember the PVC glue and proper installation. Finally, you should turn off your water supply at the main and disconnect the exposed pipe at both ends. Then, place the new PVC pipe in the trench, and use the connectors and PVC glue at each end of the pipe. Attach the pipe to the main of the house with the new fittings, and the job is done. You will be able to then turn the water back on and check for leaks, and fill in the trench and/or replace sod or grass to get your yard back in shape.

Replacing a water pipe is as easy as getting the proper permits, knowing where you dig, researching and buying the right materials, and placing the pipe. Be sure to consult the proper authorities or professionals if problems arise. I love doing it myself but when it comes to plumbing issues I’d rather leave it to Elite Plumbing Services INC out of Palm Harbor Fl . I’ve been using Mike and his team for some time now they’re great.