Simply disconnect the hook from its slot and reconnect at the next slot on the float arm, and if this doesn’t work check to see if the float has become disconnected. The top of the float should be slightly above the water’s level. If it’s not adjust the arm on the float until the float rests where the water level is about 1/2″ below the top of the overflow pipe.

If the toilet is still flowing freely, try using a dye tablet (available at hardware of plumbing supply stores). Simply flush and as the water in the tank begins to fill, drop in the tablet. If your tank is leaking you’ll begin to see the water in the bowl turn the color of the tablet.

Sometimes the flapper valve is the culprit and doesn’t seal the tank properly. This should be easy to fix. Turn off the shut-off valve below the tank and flush the toilet to “empty” it. Remove the flapper and replace it with a new one. If the flapper valve seat is cracked, you’ll have to replace the whole unit, which you can find at a hardware store. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

If the flapper valve and seat seem to be in good working order and your toilet is still running, the ball-cock assembly may need replacing. First empty the tank and then replace using a ball-cock assembly kit. Be sure to follow the kit’s instructions carefully.

You can easily seal exposed ducts in your attic, basement, crawlspace, and garage with duct sealant. Taking the time to seal your ducts can pay off big-time in the long run.

Also, you may need to change your furnace air filter. We recommend they be changed once a month during the winter. When filters become clogged with dirt and dust, your furnace has to expend more energy to force the air through. This in turn can also raise your electric bill.

After spotting a water stain, homeowners should consider where the possible source of the stain is. If there’s a bathroom above the water spot, the leak may be a plumbing issue. That could be a costly repair, she says, because a plumber may need access to an interior wall to repair the leaking pipe.

If the water spot appears to be rainwater coming through the roof, it’s not necessarily a major expense, especially if the roof is fairly new. It could simply be a nail that popped through a shingle on the roof, or flashing (which secures pipes to a roof) that hasn’t been caulked properly.

Those problems are relatively simple to fix, they usually cost a couple hundred dollars for a roofer to repair.

Other problems could be more expensive to fix. For example, if the roof is 15 years old and several shingles have blown off, the roof is probably in poor condition and may require a complete replacement.

Most builder-grade asphalt roofs have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.

Any questions dont hesitate to call or send us an email.

Thin cracks along concrete foundation could be the result of settlement in the concrete and may not necessarily be a cause for concern. However, homeowners need to pay attention to the shape and direction of the divide. Long horizontal splits in the concrete could indicate pressure from the outside- possibly from saturated soil- that needs to be repaired. “Normal settlement doesn’t generally cause horizontal cracks”

Regardless of shape, any cracks that leak water or are wider than one-fourth of an inch should be inspected by a general contractor. Any additional questions or concerns, please give us a call. 925-754-5232

A light shining through your front door it is probably a defective or improper placed weather stripping.  Any further questions, feel free to contact us 925-754-5232

Baseboard discoloration and or swelling could be caused by a few things; make sure you use your shower curtain properly by placing the plastic liner INSIDE the bathtub. Check your seal on your shower door. Make sure you have a bath mat to soak up any excess water when you exit the shower. Hope these tips help you and please visit us again!

1.) Roof leaks are a very common form of water damage. 

 Some of the items to look for that create damage are tree branches hanging on to the roof.  Tree branches should be cut back from the roof no less than 3 feet.  Clogged gutters and downspouts, if the water has no way to shed off of the roof it will puddle and back up.  Roof systems are not designed to hold water, the water will find a way into the home and damage your property.

2.) Window leaks are another common form of water damage.

One of the biggest causes for window leaks are plugged weep holes in the window tracks.  These are the little holes at the bottom of the window frame on the exterior.  When these little areas are clogged the water will fill the track and work its way back inside the the home.

3.) Sprinklers are great for the lawn but destructive for the house.

If your sprinkler system is spraying the home it is a receipe for dissaster.  Repeated spraying of the home from a sprinkler will breakdown any exterior finish from wood to stucco to brick…sprinklers will do more damage than the Big Bad Wolf.

1. Start a file to keep all insurance paperwork in.
2. Start a second file to keep all Contractor correspondence together
3. Staple all business cards to the inside of the file.  Business cards are small and tend to get lost
4. Write your claim number on the inside of all files
5. Keep all expense receipts and write the claim number on all receipts.  Turn in all your receipts let your Insurance provider tell you what they will and won’t pay for.
6. Keep a notepad with you at all times, it will be the oddest times when you think of a question.  Write them down so they do not get forgotten.
7. Always deal with people that have specific experience in fire damage repair.  This will make a big difference
8. Do not get in a rush, repair from a fire damage takes time.  Let your Insurance provider go through there process, it will seem confusing at some points but there is a system.  Let it work for you.

These are some of the items that need direct attention paid to them during your fire claims process.  It is a process not a quick fix.  Always remember the number one item to combat is residual smoke smell, so make sure that every step of project is handled by a company that specifically does fire damage repair.

  One of the most common items that cause water damage to a home is clogged gutters.  As the season progresses and leaves begin to accumulate, you want to make sure all gutters and downspouts are clear of debris.  Roofs are designed to have water shed off of the them, not to back up and hold puddling water.