Plumbers in Humble – Common Plumbing Problems

Are you on the lookout for plumbing professionals who can fix the problems you are having in your home? You may be struggling with leaks, clogs, and other malfunctions that plague our Texas customers.

Plumbers in Humble

If so, Plumbers in Humble is ready to help you. Plumbing issues occur all the time. The most common plumbing problems, however, are mostly preventable. More often than not, the most common plumbing issues are of our making. It could be neglect on our part or things we actually do to the plumbing that gives us all these headaches.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common plumbing problems, and how we can prevent them.

1. Clogged or Slow Drains

Clogs form when debris gets caught inside the drains of your bathtubs, showers, or sinks. These clogs can be caused by a buildup of things like food, dirt, hair, soap, and anything else you wash down your drain.

A slow draining sink or shower could be the start of a full-on clog so you should call your local Plumbers in Humble today.

Here’s why.

If water has trouble draining from your sinks or shower, there’s something inside the pipes blocking its way. That blockage can continue to grow and develop into a bigger clog that prevents any water from getting passed at all.

So, in most cases, when you notice water draining slower, you’ve got a clog coming your way.

2. Dripping Faucets

Your faucet has a seal of rubber washers that keep water from getting through when you turn off the tap. Over time, these washers can wear down, tear, or fall out of place.

If this happens, your faucet can’t form a watertight seal. As a result, water can drizzle through the small gap and drip into your sink.

This common problem is annoying for several reasons.

First of all, it causes stress and can get in the way of a restful night’s sleep.

But a dripping faucet can also waste a lot of your money. Even a slow drip can go through up to 10 gallons of water a day. This means you’re going through 3,600 gallons of extra water a year if you don’t fix the problem.

A single dripping faucet can make your water bill go way up.

3. Pipe Leaks

Pipe leaks can be even more expensive and devastating than a drippy faucet.

If you don’t spend a lot of time under your sinks, you might not notice a leak right away. This can lead to other problems, such as dampness and water damage, which can end up costing a lot of money to repair.

While leaky pipes are a common issue for homeowners, they aren’t difficult to fix. They can be messy, though.

Make sure you let a trained professional handle this type of repair.

4. Low Water Pressure

The water that flows through your pipes carries dissolved minerals along with it. These minerals can build up along the inside of the pipes and restrict the water.

If this happens, the water won’t be able to get through the pipes as fast, resulting in low water pressure. Low water pressure might also be the result of a broken or corroded pipe.

Many modern homes won’t experience this problem. But if you live in an older home, water pressure could become an issue.

5. Running Toilet

After you flush your toilet, water will fill back into the tank, lifting a float that’ll shut off the water when it reaches a certain level.

But sometimes, the water never stops.

This is called a running toilet, and it can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day.

The cause of a running toilet usually stems from a broken flapper valve. In some cases, it may also be due to a buildup of sediment. You might also have a hidden leak.

6. Clogged Toilet

On the other side of the coin, your toilet might stop flushing altogether. This means you have a clog.

A toilet clog is caused by toilet paper and human waste that gets stuck somewhere in the pipe. You can usually take care of this problem on your own with a plunger.

However, some clogs are more serious. If a plunger doesn’t work, you may want to call a professional plumber to clear out the pipe instead.

7. No Hot Water

If you’re home suddenly doesn’t have any warm water, there’s something wrong with your water heater.

There are a number of reasons your water heater could fail, some of which are much more serious than others.

For example, you may simply need to relight the pilot light. The thermostat might have given out. Or the problem could be caused by a buildup of sediment inside the tank.

You should always let a professional examine your water heater if you’re having trouble with hot water. They’ll better understand how to maintain it and what to look for.

When you buy your first (or fourth) house, you’re also buying a lot of potential plumbing problems. Understanding what causes these problems will help you recognize them and know when to call a professional plumber in Humble to the scene.

Do you need some plumbing help right now?

Don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Different Custom Patio Covers

Patio Covers
Baytown Patio Covers

A wooden patio cover can provide shade and protection outdoors. Getting a wooden patio cover built in your yard will increase your property value and provide a spot for friends and family to meet. Wood is a common material for roofing patio construction because it is inexpensive, easy to work with and allows almost infinite customization.  Patio covers made of wood can really impress your family and friends and give more space for you to roam around in.

Freestanding wooden patio cover

This freestanding wooden patio cover was made from a western red cedar collection. Patio Covers are made of wood because it’s easy to adjust the size and style to fit your needs. You don’t need unusual tools to cut it, it’s widely available, and it can be painted, stained, or made natural to the weather. However, the downside of using natural material such as wood is that periodic sanding and re-painting or staining is needed to keep on looking the best.

Wood Types

There are many types of wood to choose from when building a wooden patio cover. The most important thing to consider is the outdoor quality of the wood you pick. You’re going to want a kind of wood that can withstand insect damage, rot, and other types of weathering.

There are a number of types of wood suitable for the construction of a patio cover like the ones Baytown Patio Covers offer.

Redwood is another appealing, long-lasting alternative. If someone needs a natural wood tone, I’m using all-heart redwood. 

Cedar is similar to all-heart redwood in that it successfully withstands the elements. The main difference is that cedar quickly reaches a grayish color, while redwood retains its reddish-brown color a little longer. Cedar is particularly good at taking paint and staining.

Pressure-treated wood is not attractive, but cheap and durable. It is treated with a copper-based pesticide that repels insects and rots, but the treatment leaves little indentations on the surface of the wood that are visible even after painting or staining.

Douglas Fir is another cheap choice for wood. If you’re not obsessed with sustainability, you could use Doug Fir.  Keep it clean by cleaning on a regular basis, checking for signs of pest damage or decay, and ensuring that the foundation is properly mounted so that it is elevated off the ground.  It can be damp, so when it is first built, the builder may need to sand and paint it several times before it looks good. Pro Tip: a patio cover made of raw wood is highly susceptible to wet and cold weather. Despite routine maintenance seasonal disruption is likely to happen.

Patio Covers
Baytown Patio Covers

Pressure-treated pine is one of the most common types of wood used for pergola building. Pressure-treated pine, the most economical choice, is resistant to rot and insects. Nonetheless, after installation, a preservative will have to be used to slow down the weathering cycle. Pressure-treated pine can be stained almost any color you like.

Cedar is another form of wood that can be used to create a patio cover. Cedar is naturally resistant to warping, cracking, insects and moisture rot. Since cedar is lightweight and easy to handle, but still very heavy, it is often the preferred patio cover crafted by skilled carpenters. For a fact, cedar has nice colors and can be decorated.

Certain trees that can be used to create a patio cover are redwood, maple, cypress, and teak. Both types of wood tend to be more expensive than pressurized pine and cedar.

If you choose wood for your patio cover, you can use different types of wood to suit it. Since different types of wood are stained differently, you will need to paint each type of wood with a different color to make it look the same in the end. 

A design wooden patio cover can be designed to provide as much or as little shade as you like.

Custom Wood Patio Covers

Another option is to hire a landscaping contractor or carpenter to build a custom wood patio cover for you. Going on this route will allow you to completely customize the cover of your patio. Wood is an excellent material for custom builds because it can be easily cut on-site to suit the size requirements. In addition, a custom patio cover can be built to allow as little or as much light as you want.

The wooden roof of the patio can be completed in a number of ways. First of all, wood allows painting or staining in whatever color you like. Second, decorative cuts can be made at the end of each piece of lumber, giving your backyard a unique, finished look. Third, an accomplished backyard craftsman will integrate wooden benches, planters, and lighting into the scheme.

A wooden patio cover will also have to be repaired regularly in order to retain the original appearance. If not properly maintained, the wood could rust and deteriorate quickly, making it necessary to replace the entire roof of the patio. However, if you’re well cared for, you can enjoy the wooden patio cover for many years.

Kemah Electrician & Electrical Panel Recommendations

Kemah Electrician

Do you need to change your electrical panel?  

A house has a lot of benefits. Sadly, one of the drawbacks is that things are going to split. Sometimes you don’t know why something doesn’t work. The treatment of the problem is only half the fight. When it comes to electrical issues, most homeowners have little knowledge of exactly what the problem is, much less how to address it.

If you’ve had trouble working properly with electricity or equipment, our electrical panel recommendations will shed some light on if you need to update your electrical panel.

What’s the Breaker Panel?

Before we discuss how and why your electrical panel might not work, let’s talk about the breaker panel itself. The electrical panel is the central point that links the wires from outside to the wires inside your house and how the electrical service company delivers power to your building. It is often referred to as the main breaker box, the fuse box, the distribution panel, the load center, and even the breaker panel. This is where you’re going when you need to flip the breakers off and get the power back on when you’ve tripped the breaker. It’s usually located in the garage, on the outside of your house or in the utility room, but it can be anywhere in your household.

There are several different types of panels available: main breaker panels, main lug panels, and shift switches.

Main Breaker Panels 

These panels have a main built-in breaker that is capable of shutting off all power to your property. This double-pole circuit breaker determines the power of the circuits of your panel and prevents these circuits from being overwhelmed.

Central Lug Panels 

Instead of making a central breaker, line wires are going to lugs in these panel forms. The main lug panels have a separate shut-off system, which could be near the meter or connected to the main panel breaker. Using a disconnect near your meter allows firefighters to turn off your power without having to reach your living system.

Shift Switches

If you need more than one circuit in a specific area, such as a greenhouse or a laboratory, you may want a sub-panel. Sub-panels normally do not have their own disconnection and are usually operated from the main panel.

A specific type of sub-panel used for transferring portable generator power is a shift switch. Shift switches are often recommended in areas with regular storms, where alternative power sources may be required on occasion. This configuration makes it easy for a homeowner to turn to a backup power source when a regular power source is not available. Manual shift switches are less expensive, but allow you to switch the power load manually to your backup system, while automatic transfer switches provide homeowners with more robust protection.

The main types of circuit breakers are single pole, double pole, arc fault circuit breakers (AFCO) and ground fault circuit breakers (GFCI). You can choose between full size, half size, and twin or tandem single pole breakers that supply 120 volts of electricity. Hot water heaters and appliances tend to have dual pole circuit breakers providing 240 volts of power. When worn or damaged wires are present, AFCIs turn off power to the area. These are usually built-in common areas and bedrooms. A good Kemah Electrician will recommend that GFCI’s kitchens, bathrooms and garages protect homeowners from electrocution around wet areas.

Most of the time, you will not know much about the breaker plate. However, like other equipment in your home, electrical panels sometimes need to be replaced or upgraded. There are a number of reasons for this.

Kemah Electrician

Do I need to change my electrical panel?

Circuit breaker panels usually last for 25 to 40 years. There are other questions to ask before deciding whether you need to upgrade or replace your electrical panel, such as: does your home still have a fuse box?

If your home still relies on an old-fashioned fuse panel, which is common in homes built before 1960, then you probably want to upgrade to an electrical circuit breaker panel. The fuse burns out and needs to be replaced, and the circuit breakers need to be reset with a flip of the switch.

Is your house over 20 years old?

If your home is more than 20 or 30 years old, you might need an update. Older homes usually have panels that are 60 to 100 volt. Newer homes typically have 200-amp panels that suit our lifestyles. Today’s energy demands are greater than before with high-definition televisions, smartphones, digital refrigerators, and other appliances.

Do I need to change my electrical panel?

A question to ask to determine this is- Is the electrical panel warm?  If the panel feels warm to the touch, it could be a sign that the panel is overloaded, incorrectly installed or defective.

Does your electrical panel smell?

If the panel emits a burning smell, this could be a warning that either the circuit breaker is wrong or the wire is not properly attached. Either of these warning signs could put you at risk of an electrical fire.

Do you have an electrical panel trip often?

If your electrical panel moves often or if it makes a cracking sound, it may need to be repaired. The system will trip when you plug too many appliances into a circuit that requires more power than the circuit can accommodate. “Tripping” or turning off the power is a protective measure to prevent overheating of the wires. This may mean that only the breaker needs to be replaced, not the whole frame.

Do you have your appliances running at full capacity?

If your machines are not running at full capacity, this may be due to a faulty electrical panel. Circuits could have been overloaded. If that’s not the problem, it might be that the panel is out of date and you need more electricity to handle the current load that your home needs.

Do your lights dim or flicker frequently?

If your lights dim or flicker often, particularly when you use other devices, this could be a symptom of a loose connection or a malfunction.

Are you replacing your appliances or moving them to your home?

If you’re planning a major new appliance update or an extension to your home that would require additional amps, you may consider an upgrade.

Should you think you’re using a lot of power strips?

If you need additional wall outlets in your house, you can consider upgrading the panel to provide the electricity you need to operate it all.

If you need more answers, it’s best to call a reputable electrical company like Bay Area Electrical.  

Benefits of the Sprinkler System

Sprinkler System

It is impossible to have a green lawn without water. Some places are lucky enough to receive exactly the right amount of rainwater.  Think of Hawaii. If you’re not living on a tropical island, sprinklers are the perfect way to deliver water to the whole lawn for the rest of us.

How are you watering your grass? 

If you are currently dragging a hose out of the yard with a portable sprinkler head attached to it, you may consider installing an automatic sprinkler system. Consider the pros and cons of a sprinkler system so that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Benefits of Installing an Automatic Sprinkler System Convenience: 

The most obvious reason to go automatic is to make watering your lawn a less practical experience. You can set the timer to automatically pop up the sprinklers and water your lawn at set times on certain days of the week.

Esthetics and safety: there’s nothing attractive about a garden hose stretching across your lawn. If you do not remove the hose after every watering session, this sight is a necessary side effect. The hose is also a tripping hazard for children and pets who play in the yard. On the other side, automatic sprinkler heads pop up from the ground, spray your grass, and vanish once they’re out. This makes an automatic sprinkler system safer and more aesthetically pleasing.

Water at the best time: watering your lawn early in the morning. Turning your sprinklers on after sunset and before sunrise will reduce evaporation, and choosing morning rather than evening reduces the spread of disease that can occur if your lawn stays wet all night long. The easiest way to take advantage of early-morning watering is to set the timer to your automatic sprinkler system.

The optimum amount of water: Advanced automatic sprinkler systems feature weather and soil moisture sensors to deliver the right amount of water when needed. By feeling the rain, the advanced system will skip the scheduled watering to avoid over-saturation of your lawn and save you money.

Water while you’re out of town: Summer is a very popular time to go on vacation. Just because you want to get away doesn’t mean you’re going to be punished with a yellow lawn when you get back. Automatic sprinklers eliminate the need to ask your neighbor to water your lawn for you while you’re out of town.

Disadvantages of Installing a Sprinkler System Expense:

Perhaps one reason you haven’t installed a sprinkler system is due to the perceived cost. However, with a quote from Planet Green, you know exactly what the cost will be before you start.

Landscape damage: it is best to install a sprinkler system before landscaping is complete and sod is laid. Alternatively, the construction of a sprinkler system requires the lawn areas to be dug so that the pipes can be mounted and connected to the home plumbing system. This may take days or even weeks depending on the size of the installation. It means that if you are retrofitting your lawn with automatic sprinklers, you will, if possible, connect it to other projects, such as planting trees or installing hardscape, so that everything can be done at once.

Luckily, experienced specialists like Planet Green can troubleshoot and repair sprinkler problems at an affordable rate. Be sure to call your sprinkler specialists if you need help.  

  • Planet Green
  • 802 Appomattox Dr, Spring, TX 77380
  • (281) 960-4994

Conroe Pergola Patio Covers

Pergola
Conroe Patio Covers

You’re not alone if you don’t know the answer to that question. With so many different types of backyard embellishments designed to give shade and seclusion to homeowners, pergolas can easily be confused like their counterparts.  In this article, we will clarify what a Pergola is; the different types of pergola models, advantages, and uses so that you can make the best choice for your new outdoor feature.

Pergola Design Types 

While there are several different types of pergola designs, each adheres to a primary form and function that distinguishes the pergola from an arbor, a gazebo, and other structures in the backyard.

Pergola versus arbor is one of the most common mix-ups in backyard architecture. A pergola is designed to serve a wide variety of different purposes, while an arbor is mainly used to accentuate an entrance or pathway, and in contrast, it is quite small.

A pergola is typically a wide-open structure with four beams of support, no walls, and a decorative roof style such as a lattice. Screens can be attached to the roof or walls for shade or even a touch of protection from the elements, although a pergola’s primary purpose is not to shield its users.  There are different types of Pergola designs that you can choose from as you prepare your addition to the backyard with Conroe Patio Covers or another similar company.

Vinyl Pergolas

Because of their affordability, durability and universal nature, vinyl pergolas are becoming increasingly popular. One of the many benefits of having a vinyl pergola is the opportunity to choose a custom design that meets your needs and desires for personal design.

Open-Top 

As mentioned above, most pergolas have an open-roof design that allows ample sunlight and circulation of air. To build an attractive focal point, open-top pergolas are most often installed in the garden and can bring even more charm to the room with the aid of trailing vines.

Steel

Steel pergolas are a wise choice for areas frequently plagued by harsh weather. During bad weather, the steel frame not only holds up quite well, but it will actually last the longest. Due to their avant-garde nature, steel pergolas are not very popular.

Sail 

A sail pergola, instead of a conventional lattice roof, uses a stretched cloth. This style of design offers more shade and cover than an open roof design with a clean, modern look.

Conroe Patio Covers

Gable or Pitch 

A gabled or pitched pergola is a great choice if you choose to have a roof that can protect you from the wind, rain and other elements. Such two options provide sufficient water runoff due to the roof structure and are most commonly seen on decks or patios, usually over a hot tub or outdoor dining area.

Depending on the desires of the homeowner, the function of a Pergola can serve a wide variety of purposes. While the typical pergola design consists of a lattice roof and a lack of walls, it is possible to make changes to suit your unique needs.

Benefits of a Pergola

1. By adding a sturdy, well-crafted pergola to your backyard, you can create a splendid outdoor space and increase your home’s value. Builders should be warned: if the pergola is poorly designed, the quality of your home will be decreased. So, before going to DIY’s hardware store, you might want to consult a professional and get an estimate on a pergola backyard.

2. Upgrading Your Garden 

A pergola is a great way to dress up your garden area in the backyard. Opt for a spacious design with an open-top lattice roof so that your garden does not interfere with the required sunlight and air circulation. For an extra charming touch, add some vines.

3. Creating an Outdoor Home Extension 

It is popular for homeowners to use pergolas as a simple but elegant way to create an outdoor extension of their living space. If this is your goal, choose a design and material to complement your home’s exterior and have the pergola attached (or placed very close) to your home for a seamless transition from home to a beautiful outdoor patio.

4. While pergolas typically do not come with walls and a roof, they are still a nice way to add a touch of shade and privacy to your backyard space. In order to increase shade and privacy, dress up the structure with vines, sheer curtains, or a sail-top design.

Are you ready to add a romantic touch to your backyard now that you know what a pergola is, its function, benefits, and its different types of design? Get a Pergola estimate today!

Local SEO Solutions For Your Company

Local SEO Solutions

There are many benefits for search engine optimization (SEO) for business owners.  Let’s take a look at all the ways that this type of marketing will help improve your business.  

1. SEO Leads to Better User Experience 

There are many ways you can improve your website and maximize your user experience.  This allows the users to find the most relevant information, photos, and videos.  

All this leads to better user experience. It results in more clicks, more leads, better memory of the brand and higher conversion rates. This is what search engine sites are looking for, improving your search ranking.

2. SEO Is a Primary Source of Leads

Inbound strategies are the most effective and successful source of leadership between Business to Business (B2B), Business to Customer (B2C) and non-profit organizations. Inbound covers optimization of search engines, social media, content marketing, referrals, and others.

If you don’t get the lead from your local SEO solutions and tactics, then you need to revisit your activities. Another competitor on the market might be getting your share of the pie.

3. SEO Brings Higher Close Rate

Statistics showed that an average of 14.6 percent of the close SEO leads is achieved compared to 1.7 percent of the close outbound leads. Reaching consumers (outbound or cold leads) also results in lower conversion rates.

Whereas SEO leads, where the customer does the actual research of your product or service, the result is a higher conversion. These individuals making their online research already have a specific requirement and purpose in mind.

4. SEO Results to Higher Conversion Rate 

A good ranking of your site on any search engine website can guarantee high conversion rates. Your target market will become more aware of you as long as you retain your top position.

As customers become more familiar with your brand and increase their knowledge of products/services, there is a great opportunity for customers to close the deal with you.

Local SEO Solutions
Concept of digital marketing media (website ad, email, social network, SEO, video, mobile app) with icon, and team analyzing return on investment (ROI) and Pay Per Click (PPC) dashboard in background

5. SEO Promotes Better Cost Management 

The Search Engine Journal reported that inbound leads could actually lower the cost of lead generation by 61 percent compared to outbound leads.

SEO reduces advertising costs. If you already have a top-ranking website, you don’t need to pay per click or advertise your page. You will continue to stay above the rest of the search results as long as Internet users click on your search links.

In addition, activities related to inbound lead generation include search engine optimization, social media management, blogging, referrals, etc. They all have little or no cost at all.

Outbound lead generation activities include cold colds, visiting customers, or direct sales. Better cost control is just a few of SEO’s benefits to your company.

6. SEO Encourages the Users to Visit Stores After the Search

 After local research, there is a strong tendency for customers to visit the local store or shop. For example, the “Best Seafood Restaurant in Singapore” user keys on the internet. This will show you a variety of options. The Internet user will then visit his or her top choice and become a customer of the restaurant.

A specific study backs this up, stating that 81% of shoppers are conducting their online research before going to the store and making a local purchase.

7. SEO Builds Brand 

Credit Ranking First, Second or Third may give your customers the idea that you are one of the top players in the industry. It shows that you’re popular, and you’ve also been researched by many users.

On the other hand, consumers may think that you are not yet well known or even a new player in the industry if you are at the bottom of the search engine results. This may also lead some customers to believe that you do not have a budget to boost your website for better search results.

8. SEO Help Establish Brand Awareness 

Brand Awareness is the extent to which the target market recognizes the brand. This refers to the familiarity of your customers with your product or service. Search Engine Optimization ensures that your product is easily found through regular and organic search engine sites. Once you stay at the top of the ranking, Internet users will be able to see you more.

This leads to a higher propensity to click on your connection, which leads users to your website. One of the benefits of SEO for your business is to make your brand even more aware of it.

Optimization of the search engine is one of the strategies that will help you ace the competition with your Local SEO Solutions. SEO refers to a website’s ability to obtain quantitative and qualitative visits through the use of organic search engines. Make sure you take up the challenge and take advantage of SEO.

Absolutely Elite

7331 Emerald Glade Lane, Humble, TX 77396

(281) 612-5959

Mulch & Your Landscape

Landscape

One of the best things you can do for your trees and bedding plants is adding a mulch coat. Organic mulches have many natural benefits in addition to adding color and texture to a landscape, preserving moisture, and preventing weeds. They help prevent soil compaction, act as a soil conditioner, and even promote the presence of natural aerators, such as earthworms.

By contributing to potassium supply, adding nutrients will add nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace elements to the soil. It is an ideal way to use recycled waste in the yard.

Mulching materials can be natural or inorganic. Popular organic mulches include chips of wood, shredded bark, needles of pine, shredded leaves, and straw. Clippings of the lawn and even the planting of items such as field corncobs and buckwheat and cocoa bean hulls are also coverings of choice. Inorganic or commercial mulches can be found in various varieties, colors and price ranges. Your landscape professional can help you understand your application’s timing and type of mulch.

There are a few things to consider when spreading mulch around trees or in your garden beds before you get out of the shovel and trowel: when you start mulching, stick with it. Removing a mulch layer will dry out the soil and hurt the roots below.

For proper mulching, there are usually two cycles. After the soil has thawed, a layer of mulch should be added to your garden beds in the winter. After the ground is frozen, a second mulch application in the fall will further isolate and protect plants.

It’s a common mistake most homeowners make to place the mulch around trees. Mounting mulch against the trunk of a tree may cause bark rot, disease, and problems with insects. Instead, spread the mulch so that it extends about three to four inches deep from the base of the tree. Make sure the outer edges are lower. The form of the saucer can keep the mulch away from the tree and allow the tree’s root system to retain and disperse water.

Landscape

Consider spreading mulch over time. Spreading too thick a mulch can make roots grow shallow and make them more vulnerable to death during extended periods of dryness.

Using woody or bark mulches in places where a lot of digging is not going to be done like around trees and in flower beds.  This offers a much better appearance and will add colors that will compliment any home. For vegetable gardens where replanting can be commonplace, lighter mulch content such as grass, which is quickly worked into the soil, is better suited.

When it comes to your landscape, you want to add value to your home and create an oasis that allows you a relaxing place to come home too.  It can be a place to read a book and relax. Your landscape allows you a place to get your stress out on by mulching and gardening. With so many benefits, why not mulch? Mulch application certainly adds a finished look to your Hardscape. It just finishes off a focus area esthetically; however, its higher value lies in the benefits it offers to the secret roots it protects.  Keep that in mind next time you are out in your yard! What are you waiting for?! Get out there and get to mulching!

5 Useful Tips in Choosing Your Patio Doors

The Woodlands Windows
Woodlands Windows

Adding a patio to your home provides several benefits that include an increased curb appeal to your home. It’s also a great outdoor entertainment space where you can hold barbecue parties or sip your morning coffee with friends. Of course, it helps that the patio and the patio doors go hand in hand with the structural theme of your home. With a wide selection of patio doors however, it could be pretty confusing, especially for someone inexperienced. Basically, the patio door that you use should depend not only on the theme of your home but on convenience, too. Here are some helpful tips from The Woodlands Windows to help you decide. 

  • Think about the furniture and fixture. 

The placement of your furniture plays a big part in knowing what type of patio door to install. Swinging French doors, for instance, need enough space for full opening. You also have to make sure that the walls won’t be compromised when you swing the doors. The same goes for sliding doors. Remember that when space is too tight, you won’t be able to open the doors as much as you would like, and it’s not a pretty sight, to say the least. Look at the entire space first, imagine the situation, and determine what would fit well with your area. 

The Woodlands Windows
The Woodlands Windows
  • Choose a wider doorway. 

Basically, the patio doors should have a wide doorway to give you adequate passing space and conducive access to your backyard. After all, that’s why you built the patio in the first place. For a better outdoor experience, choose a design and style that could provide you with the best patio benefits in the process. Consider patio door designs that integrate folding and swinging in its structural elements. 

  • Always consider the materials. 

One of the most important aspects when choosing a patio door is the material of the door itself. Not only should it complement the architectural details in your home, but it should also be versatile and convenient. If your home is mostly made of wood, it’s better if you choose solid wood patio doors rather than vinyl as the latter would only make the patio door look displaced and awkward altogether. Patio doors made of fiberglass would also look best on wooden or brick homes. Ideally, you should look into the possibility of incorporating French sliding doors as they provide the greatest number of design options when it comes to material and style. 

  • Durability is essential. 

If you’re planning to use the patio door as one of the main entrances of your home, consider the maintenance that it would require. Choose materials and design that is easier to clean and maintain. It should also be sturdy and reliable, so you don’t have to worry about repairs or replacements for a long time. The most durable materials when it comes to patio doors include aluminum, fiberglass, vinyl, and wood as they are weather resistant. 

  • Find the right type of glass. 

Let’s not forget about the glass. Glass is another major aspect of the patio door, and in choosing one, you need to consider a lot of factors. To provide privacy, choose tempered glass which you can easily decorate according to the style of your home. Enhance the entry of natural lighting by selecting a special glass that promotes energy efficiency. 

Patios offer a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience for you and your family. Since the patio doors are crucial components, make sure that you choose only what’s convenient and efficient for you and your family.