Author: info@phrazzleme.com

Ladies and gentlemen, is a roof installation at your home in the works? 

If there is, then halt! Take a step back, breathe in, and before you do anything else— let me give you a heads-up first.

We’ve all been scammed out of our money one way or another, but when you’ve been ripped off of a pretty big investment for the protection of your home— it devastates like no other. 

So, we’re here to give you some tips and tricks on how not to get scammed by your unfriendly neighborhood roofers.

 

• What the Internet is For

 

A little research goes a long way. A quick Google search on acclaimed roofing companies near you is a piece of cake, and hardly takes up much of your time. Make sure to verify if it is indeed a legitimate corporation, and you can find the customer reviews easily from here on out.

 

 

• Stranger Danger

 

Out of nowhere, ‘roofers’ just tend to show up at your doorstep, insisting that your roof needs fixing. Don’t be fooled by their highly technical roof jargon and ‘I’m-worried-for your-wellbeing’ expressions. Watch out for these stranger dangers, especially after experiencing a violent storm in your area. Although your roof might indeed need fixing, you don’t need to get it from them.

 

 

• Say it To My Face

 

If you manage to get a company for roof repair or installation, don’t relax just yet. Anticipate the inevitable swindling that will happen. Roofing companies will come to you, inspect the damages, and give you the estimates— but don’t just give them what they want without even blinking. Ask for a rundown of all the expenses and check their market price if they are overpriced. Don’t be shy. 

 

 

• Get your Magnifying Glass Ready; Read the Fine Print

 

Try to research about roof installation as much as you can. They might try to take advantage of the fact that you have no knowledge in this area. Read and understand the contract they put out. They might distract you with pretty good deals, but they probably left out the drawbacks. Ask questions as much as you can. There’s nothing worse than being legally bound to an unfavorable contract.

 

 

• Double-check

 

This is kind of a reach, but not all companies have your best interests in mind. Profiting from you is. Don’t let them get away with installing your roof with the cheapest materials possible. Get a separate building inspector if you can and ask them if they indeed made do with the bare minimum to meet the code’s requirements.

 

Whether it’s roof repairs, roof installations, or even daily life occurrences, people will try to trick you to their own gain. Be aware and keep your eyes peeled for any of these signs. If you feel like something’s not right, I believe you— trust your gut.

Follow these steps in order to steer clear of getting ripped-off of your roof installation. It will save you a lot of time, and not to mention, help you avoid spending more money than necessary. And isn’t that exactly what we’re here for?

Ever daydreamed about living the American dream suburban life— complete with the classic white picket fence?

If in fact, you did, I’m sorry to be the one to tell you that staining your fences is a far better option.

Wood has been around a long time, served to exist in numerous aspects of people’s lives. Timber, specifically, is wood prepared primarily for the purpose of construction and building. While it is, in a sense, manufactured— one cannot simply guarantee its aesthetic to cater to different predisposition and preference, in consideration to the fact that wood has no resolute target audience in its marketing. In light of this, saturation was used to enhance wood to appeal to an individual’s liking. 

Hence, the practice of staining fences has practically been tradition. It is considered trendy to display the natural grain of the wood, polished with your choice of stain. Not only does it further complement curb appeal, but it also minimizes the maintenance tended to throughout the years, therefore making it the best choice in terms of the pigmentation of wood. If done the right way, staining can block moisture content, which in turn, can reduce damage to the wood.

 

I know you’re already sold. So, the question is— where do you start? 

 

First, budget your money. Having a professional stain your fences generally costs much more than doing it yourself. But, ensuring the quality of work done, you might actually save a lot more in the long run. After all, working with a reliable fence company ensures little to no maintenance needed for a couple of years. This is recommended, especially for people living in humid and rainy areas. Hire a pro to get it done as soon as possible.

Second, make the necessary repairs before staining. Previous damage to the fence might affect the finished product, so check it first before proceeding to stain it.

Third, trim your grass (if by chance, there is). Overgrown weeds and bushes might imprint on your fence while wet with stain. So, before this, make sure it’s already out of the way.

Fourth, choose a stain that’s right for you. There are a lot of types circulating around the market. Ask your local fence company to test which stain is more advisable for the state, size and condition of your fence.

Fifth, visualize your time frame. Staining can only be done during 50˚ Fahrenheit and above, so choose when to call in your professional wisely. Stain takes about roughly two days to dry, so plan accordingly.

Sixth, prepare personal protective equipment. You’re breathing the air filled with chemicals from staining. Do yourself a favor and put on a mask, especially for those in your household with existing respiratory problems. If for some reason, you plan to be hands-on while staining— make sure to protect your hands with gloves.

St. Charles Fence Company

If you’re looking for a sign to finally paint your drab fence— this is it. If you haven’t been convinced enough, let me tell you that unstained wood is not going to bring in house guests. Kidding aside, protection for your fence is kind of paramount. It safeguards your property in looking the best it can be despite the years. And fence staining can help you do exactly that.

Saying goodbye is never easy. It doesn’t matter who it is—a loved one, a friend, even a tree. Yes, you’ll definitely be saying goodbye to trees, especially if you have one in your lawn.

Trees are beautiful, but there are times when those peaceful giants just have to go. Problems arise that turn our tree into more of a nuisance than anything else. The only problem now is how do we know? What are these circumstances that require the removal of our tree?

Here are a few red flags that will let you know when tree removal is necessary.

Infected Trees are Dead Trees

Infection can still be reverted, but it can be difficult to spot. Once the infection sets in, your tree is pretty much gone. You’ll know if your tree is infected once fungi appears, or when there are discolorations in the leaves, but the biggest give away is deep cracks in the crumbling wood. Once this happens, sorry to say, but your tree needs to go.

Beware of the Widow-makers

Widow-makers are dead branches growing on the tree’s crown. They’re big, heavy, and prone to fall when you least expect. Allow them to remain and someone is bound to get injured. Once you spot widow-makers in your tree, have them removed. If most of the branches are dead, then you might need to uproot the tree completely for your own safety.

There’s nothing inside the tree!

If a hollow tree isn’t a telltale sign of death, then I don’t know what is. When the trunk is partially or fully hollow, you have to let the tree go. All it’s going to do now is crumble and then eventually fall. Not to mention how ugly it looks. If your tree is hollow inside, then it’s best to call an arborist to get it out of your lawn.

Know Internal Decay

Internal decay is not easy to see. A tree can still stand for a long time even with nothing inside. Check the trunk for dead branches, cracks and deep crevices in the wood. These are all indications that your tree is dying inside. Before it decides to slam dunk your roof, get it out of your yard!

Stay Away from the Power Lines!

The worst thing your tree could do is engulf power lines. Best case scenario is you disrupt electricity for your neighbors and they get angry. But trees can snap power lines and catch fire. Once this happens, you’ll be calling the fire department and an arborist. When you see your precious tree getting a little too close to that power line outside your house, it’s time to say goodbye.

Tree Removal in Columbia, MO

My Tree Didn’t Lean Like That Yesterday!

It’s normal for trees to grow in an angle or a lean. Some trees do that naturally. But when a tree goes from straight to a lean in the matter of hours, then you know you have a problem. Its structure might be unstable, and you might be facing a smashed roof if you don’t deal with it as soon as possible.

Remember the 20 Feet Rule

Speaking of a smashed roof, avoid falling trees colliding with your rooftop by following the 20 feet rule! It states that, in general, trees must have a distance of 20 feet from any houses or structures. Anything within that is a tree begging to be removed—or at the very least relocated.

Of course, there are many more red flags that warrant the removal of a tree. If you have a tree in your front or back yard, it’s best to consult with a licensed arborist about it. It’s important to be well-informed about trees because, as beautiful and alluring they may be, can also pose a danger to your safety if not maintained and taken care of properly.