Elite Property Maintenance LLC

Did you know that clogged air filters are the #1 cause of heating and cooling system problems? What Happens When Your Air Filter Is Clogged? When your air filter is clogged, the air handler must work harder to compensate for the blockage of air flow. In addition to driving up your utility bill, the reduced air flow through your heating and cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too quickly, preventing your house from warming up. If that happens too often, the electronic “limit switch” safeguard can fail, and then the furnace won’t fire up at all. This service call and new part can easily cost you $175. So what’s the big deal? Does an air filter really matter? In an effort to answer that, let’s take a look at what happens if you don’t routinely change your filter. Here are some clogged furnace filter symptoms: 1. Clogged Filters Increased Energy Consumption 2. Clogged Filters Cause Frozen Evaporator Coils 3. Clogged Filters Lead to Inadequate Heating/Cooling 4. Clogged Filters Contribute to Unhealthy Pollutant Air 5. Clogged Filters Can Lead to Cycling or Overheated Furnace 6. Clogged Filters Can Damage Furnace Heat Exchanger If you ever feel as if your furnace isn’t preforming properly, dont hesitate to call your service tech. Let’s keep utility bills to a minimum. Make the call that will save you money ☎️ or book online. Thanks for sharing your time with us. See you soon.

How do you know when it’s time to paint the outside of your home? There are a few obvious signs to watch for, like cracking and chipping paint. Exterior painting is a pretty big job, so it’s always a good idea to hire professional painters if you can. We offer free estimates and online booking! HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU PAINT? Unfortunately, there is no set timeline for all, since every home is different. There are some rough guidelines you can follow, but there are several factors that can change the timing pretty drastically. Most experts say that you’ll need to paint every five to ten years, depending on factors such as where you live, climate and weather, and the previous paint job. Also, keep in mind that every surface will be a little different. For example: Wood siding – every 3-7 years, or every 4 years if it’s stained Aluminum siding – usually about 5 years Stucco – typically lasts 5-6 years New types of materials – these usually need to be touched up less often; for example, cement fiberboard siding can go 10-15 years before repainting Brick – if it’s not painted, it only needs occasional cleaning; if it’s painted, it can last 15-20 years FREE ESTIMATES BOOK ON LINE TODAY! WHAT AFFECTS THE DURABILITY OF AN EXTERIOR PAINT JOB? There are a few factors that can affect how long your paint will last. The biggest three are how your home was painted previously, climate and weather, and how the house has been maintained over time. Let’s take a closer look at how each of these plays a role in how often you need to repaint. PREVIOUS PAINT JOB If you’ve just bought a house, you might not know exactly when it was last painted. It’s a good idea to try to find out, since having detailed information about the paint job can make a big difference. The type of paint used, the quality of paint, how many coats were applied, and even the color used can all affect longevity. It’s also helpful to know the time of year in which it was painted, since whether your house was painted on a sunny or overcast day can change how well the paint dries. Overall, high-quality paint in lighter shades tends to last longer, especially if it was applied in two to three coats instead of just one. As far as paint types go, 100% acrylic paint is the most durable and resistant to fading. DAMAGE FROM THE ELEMENTS Where you live and what was happening weather-wise on the day of your last paint job can also play a big role in how long your paint job will last. For example, if you live somewhere with hot summers and your home isn’t sheltered by a lot of trees, the direct sunlight may cause the paint to bubble and fade more quickly. Or if you live in a climate with harsh winters, intense storms, or high humidity, these can also cause your paint job to age more quickly. EXTERIOR HOUSE MAINTENANCE This is all about preventative maintenance and spotting problems before they get too bad. Look at your house regularly to watch for signs of wear and tear. Specific things to watch for are dampness, rot, chalkiness, insect or rodent infestation, and mold. If you spot these, take care of them right away—you’ll make your paint job last longer if you do. On top of that, keeping up with general maintenance will keep your paint looking great over time. This means regularly washing off dirt and moss off the surface of your home before it starts to break down the paint. HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME SO THE NEW PAINT JOB LASTS Once you’re ready to update your exterior paint job, there are a few steps you should take in order to make sure this new paint job lasts for as long as possible. Of course, it all starts long before anyone picks up a paintbrush. Start by treating any spots of mold, rotten wood, cracks, holes in stucco, and more. Fill in any cracks, caulk seams and use putty to fill in any holes or pits. If you’ve got a lot of bubbling or peeling paint, it’s a good idea to sandblast or power wash to start with a smooth surface. After washing away the chipped paint, make sure your house has the chance to fully dry before you begin painting. The same goes for heavy rain—it’s best to wait a couple of days after a storm before you paint. You should also pay close attention to the weather. It’s always best to paint on days that are dry and relatively mild, with an ideal temperature being 50-90 degrees. (Though you can still paint outside of this range and get great results. These are just rough guidelines.) It’s always recommended to start with a primer since it prepares the surface for the paint and gives a smoother looking finish. Exterior painting is a pretty big job, so it’s always a good idea to hire professional painters if you can. It’s the best way to ensure you’ll get a quality paint job that will last for years. If you think it’s time to refresh your home’s exterior, book a free estimate with us today!

Why is painting required? Around your homes exterior, the material used to protect you from the outside requires paint for its own protection. Walls made of wood, metal, siding or hardie board surfaces. In their lifetime, each of these will need painting because with time, their beauty and strength decreases. The surfaces of a wall over time can chip and crack, metals rust and corrode, while wood or hardie board materials and doors get warped, scratched, and molded.  Siding will fade and crack over time.  Different paints have specific properties that prevent, or at least delay these things from happening.  They form a protective layer around the exterior surface, keeping it relatively safe. Naturally, since walls are different from metals, which in turn have properties dissimilar to wood, each surface requires a different type of paint. Today, different paints have been developed, specific to each category. The main purposes of painting a home is: To protect the surface from rain, sunlight, snow, rust, chemicals, heat, cold, termites and other insects. It enhances the homes value and beautifies the painted surfaces. Attracts buyers/ renters Free Estimates  On-Line Booking Spring is here and we all have the fever to get outside! Sun is shining, flowers are in bloom and the energy is high. Homeowners are in full swing to get their landscaping and houses looking superb. But the one thing that is often overlooked is one of the most important in keeping one of your biggest investments in tip-top shape….Paint!! Not only does the paint contribute to your homes beauty and curb-appeal , but it’s the suit of armor for the structure underneath. We’ve all seen it. Peeling, chipping, cracking, flaking paint on the siding. We think nothing of it at first. Fighting the urge to pick at it. Just a small patch here or there. This is the start of the breakdown of the protective coat of your home. The crazy fluctuation in weather in Oklahoma, where it snows on Monday and we’re swimming on Wednesday, can cause the wood to contract, making the paint crack and peel. When moisture gets into those compromised areas, the potential for rot, mildew and even mold increases. While Oklahoma isn’t prone to humidity and moisture, there’s another element that wreaks havoc on the painted surfaces of your house. The incredibly powerful sun! Exposure to UV rays causes the paint to fade and break down. Blistering can occur which lead to peeling and flaking. Another side effect from sunlight is chalking, that powdery residue when you touch the surface. It’s caused from a chemical reaction from the UV light and the binders in the paint causing the paint to become duller and thinner and in turn, weaker. There is no way to prevent the elements from affecting your house, but you can take precautions. Painting your house every 5-7 years, especially in areas of high moisture or intense sunlight, is recommended. It is cheaper, in the long run, to paint your house than having to replace and repair damaged wood, metal or siding.  Here are some things to add to your checklist when hiring a painter for the exterior of your home: Cleaning the surface before painting is very important. Painting a dirty surface is a common cause of paint failure and will hinder the life span of your paint job. Pressure washers should be used at least 3-5 days in advance of further prepping and painting. This allows the surface to dry before the next step. Hand scraping any loose, flaking, peeling, or bubbling paint will allow better adhesion and prevent premature peeling. Sanding may be required for any glossy areas for failing spots. Repairs should be made by filling holes, caulking cracks and replacing/adding mortar as needed. Priming or spot- priming with exterior primer will help adhesion to the surface. Be sure to use a good quality paint that is mildew and stain resistant, and provides protection against harsh weather conditions. It may cost a little more up front, but will save you time, money and prolong the life of your home! Painting your house can be a daunting task both financially and mentally. But skimping on the process or ignoring it altogether will cause more stress down the road. Protect your investment and keeping it looking amazing all year! Free Estimates  On-Line Booking

There are many reasons why a homeowner should think about putting up a fence on their property. Fences come in all sorts of materials, and offer a home owner many benefits from having one installed. Fences for one thing provide the homeowner with privacy, especially if you want to have some friends or family members over for a backyard barbecue during the summer. A fence in the front garden can help to accentuate that lovely garden and helps to keep the neighborhood dogs from littering your lawn and garden with their waste material. A fence in the front yard will also bring up the property value of your home. Fences, as mentioned come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Having a back yard fence offers you some privacy, where you can go out the back and sit after the sun goes down without anyone looking in at you. Another great thing about having a fence installed is the fact that it will stop some of the neighborhood children from kicking the soccer ball into your flower bed.  The choice of fencing is of course, depending on your likes and dislikes. A fence can also provide you with security. It will help to keep strangers off of your property, and if you should happen to have a backyard pool, there are state regulations that require you to have a fence installed for the safety of your family as well as strangers. Another thing that homeowners should think about is the fact that your home insurance might be reduced, if you happen to have fencing that surrounds your property. Transforming your outdoor living space might seem to be a little daunting. However, most people hire a team of professional fence installers that know exactly what they are doing. They can advise you on what type of fence is best suited to your needs and quickly install it. Fencing material can consist of pressure treated wood, chain link, vinyl fencing, wood fencing, aluminum fencing, and wrought iron. No matter what type of fencing material that you choose, these materials can withstand everything that Mother Nature has to offer them, if they are maintained properly. Fences can be used as a privacy fence, a picket fence, split rail fences, and even post and rail fences. Privacy fences are usually used to provide a sense of security for the homeowner. They help to keep people off of the property, and help to somewhat protect it from the elements. These types of fences are usually higher than the other types of fences and are usually 8 to 10 feet high. A picket fence is usually found in the front yard of a home. These picket fences usually border a small area of grass and/or a flower bed. The pickets of the fence are usually spaced 1 ½ inches apart. Picket fences are much shorter than privacy fences and usually range from 3-5 feet. Split rail fences are known as farm fences. This style of fence usually have two or three rails. These fences could be left open or enhanced with chicken or barbed wire to keep animals in or out of the enclosed area. Post and rail fences are quite similar to the split rail fence. However, slats of wood are used in between the fence posts and if you have seen fences that are commonly found on farms, then you know what they are.

1. Frequent Surges Electrical surges result from a number of things. Summer storms and damaged power lines. Sometimes, even the power company is to blame. A surge happens when there’s a massive jump in charge inside the power lines. This increases the potential electrical energy, which increases the current to your outlet. Boom! Your TV’s off. Even if it’s just a second, frequent surges can damage your appliances and electronics. Lighting is the most infamous troublemaker, but it’s not the number one reason for a power surge. 2. Sags and Dips Sags and dips in power are closely related to surges. Most of the time, it’s caused by a small appliance. Power sags and dips are intermittent drops in voltage. They only last a second and is what’s otherwise known as “brown-outs.” This is when your lights dim and get bright again, without going off all the way. Brown-outs also happen when you have too many large appliances running at the same time. They could be drawing too much from an outdated electric panel. Again, old or faulty wiring can also take some blame. 3. Overloaded Circuit We’re not blaming the guy over at Booth A19 for this one. We won’t blame the weather or the wiring either. You’re likely the reason for an overloaded circuit. These occur when the amount of current flowing to an appliance or device exceeds what it can handle. Here’s how you could be causing this. If your lamp is rated for a maximum 60watt bulb and you decide that’s not bright enough and put in a 100watt bulb, you’ve just overloaded the lamp. Worst case scenario? The heat from the bulb melts the socket and insulation in the fixture wires. The wires spark and now you have an electrical fire. If your lamp or fixture doesn’t list a max wattage, don’t go over 60. If you’re constantly resetting a tripped breaker, check to see what’s plugged into the circuit. If it’s a lamp, check the wattage and what bulb you’re using for it. For the ladies — too many curling irons, flat irons, and hair dryers plugged in at once can also cause an overload. The biggest offender is probably your dryer, especially if it’s a high-output model. Trying using only one at a time and see if this helps the issue. 4. Uncovered Junction Boxes An uncovered junction box is one of those hidden issues lurking inside your walls that you don’t think about. A junction box houses various wires and gets installed during construction. It can also get added with an electrical upgrade. If you were to take apart a section of your wall, you’ll see a small plastic or metal box about 2″ x 3″. That’s your junction box, where a ROMEX wire runs from the main panel and joins up with other wires that then go to your fixtures. This box should have a cover. If not, you could have some safety issues as a result. The purpose of an enclosed box it to protect people from electrical shocks. It also prevents a fire from spreading that starts due to damaged wires. 5. Not Enough Outlets You may not think having not enough outlets is an electrical issue. After all, that must mean that you can’t overload anything or have too much on a circuit, right? Wrong. Here’s why. When you move into a new house and notice the master bedroom only has one outlet, what do you do? If you’re like most people, you get an outlet extender so you can plug in your TV, cable box, and lamp. Or, you go down to good ol’ booth A19 and buy a cheap extension cord. The same thing goes for a dead outlet. You need power to that side of the room so you use an extension cord. There’s a couple problems with this “fix.” The first is that most extension cords are for temporary use. You’re not supposed to use them as your No. 1 wiring option. If using an extension cord is your permanent fix, you have to make sure you’re using at least a 14-gauge heavy-load extension cord or a UL-listed surge protector. If you have every receptacle filled up or have a cheaper or even long extension cord, you’re at risk for an electrical fire. Not to mention, you could damage your devices. Extension cord safety is no joke. Don’t daisy-chain two or more together or use them in an attic or crawl space. If you need more outlets, just call an electrician. 6. Overcircuited Panel We went over how common overloaded circuits are and ways to avoid them. Let’s move on to another type of overloading: the panel. An overloaded or over-circuited panel is very dangerous. It’s another fire hazard but it can also cause you harm, too. Your electrical panel is set up to accommodate a set number of circuit breakers. These breakers fit into slots. You know how many yours holds by opening the panel door and looking (pretty simple, so far). You determine the panel you need according to the maximum load capacity of your house. There was a time when a 60-amp service was enough. Today, it’s not. For homes less than 3,000 square feet, a 100-amp service will work as long as you don’t have central AC or electric heat. If your house is at least 2,000 square feet and you do have central AC or electric heat, 200-amp is what you need. Now, you can deduce that every slot holds a breaker. Except, sometimes people try and cheat the system and put a tandem breaker in a slot instead of two single-pole breakers. There are also double-pole breakers. Here’s the difference: A single-pole looks like one switch. A double-pole looks like two together, or like a double switch. You can open your panel right now and see which is which. But, if you see a tandem breaker? That’s a code violation. A tandem breaker doesn’t take up two