Your Chimney – What to Look For

How does your chimney look from the outside? Whenwas the last time you took a really good look at it? If your like most folks, if it doesn’t cause you a problem it’s not in the forefront of your mind right? The problem is that a chimney takes a lot of abuse no matter what the weather and no matter how much you are using it. High wind can actually put stress on a chimney and cause torsional twisting that can lead to failure of the mortar (especially if you have a TV antenna attached to it). Once the mortar does start to crack open, water can enter these cracks and as it expands when frozen, it places extreme pressure and makes the cracks even bigger over time. Another area on a chimney to watch is the flashing. Flashing is generally made of aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel. While all of these are made to last an extremely long time, they can fail.  The material used to “caulk” the gap between the flashing and the chimney can give out as well.

It is very important to look inside your attic where the chimney connects to the home and make sure that the flashing is still holding up

Active Water Stains as seen on Wood and Bricks

 it’s end of the deal. The picture in this post shows that the integrity of the flashing was compromised and allowed water to penetrate into the attic. You can see dark stains on the rafters and roof decking as well as efflourescence (white powdery stains) on the chimney bricks.

So what should you do? You can start with examining your chimney very closely from top to bottom with a good set of binoculars. You want to look for and cracks in your mortar, any damaged bricks, such as discoloration, pitting, spalling, crumbling, etc. Next, head into the attic and look at the area around where the chimney either passes through the roof or is attached to the outside of the home. Here you will want to look for water stains, a white powderey residue on the bricks (efflourescence), or any other type of damage such as the dark staining on the wood components. Take advantage of your time in the attic and look at the other roof penetrations. Here you should be looking for water stains that may indicate that you have a problem as well.

I will be addressing the Chimney Crown tomorrow so check back in.

A Long Hard Winter

Water Damage in Attic

This has been an extraordinary winter to say the least! We were shy of a record amount of snow in January and we have had numerous wind storms along with ice storms that have passed through the area. How did your house hold up? I’ve noticed many homes in Northeast Ohio have signs of wind damage everywhere. Many homes in my own neighborhood are suffering from missing shingles, loose siding and loose fascia. All of this type of damage can lead to water intrusion into your home if left un-repaired. Whatever you do, don’t procrastinate on something like this. Get this type of damage fixed right away as water damage can be extensive and expensive. Water can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot just to name a few problems. I’ve also inspected roofs that from that outside all appearances indicate that everything is in good shape however upon entering the attic, I have found extensive water damage that is active and causing serious damage to the roof sheathing and the attic insulation. The water damage had not yet made it’s way into the ceiling of the bedroom (sure to be noticed by it’s inhabitants), but it had traveled approximately 20 feet from where it had entered and was damaging everything along it’s path.

Home inspections are just for buyers and sellers of real estate! A home inspection makes perfect sense for the spring. I obviously offer complete home inspections, but  I also offer Exterior Inspections, Attic Inspections and Wood Destroying Insect Inspections in addition. The detailed computer generated inspection report is complete with digital photographs and provides you with information on the “health” of your home. Many clients use these inspection reports as part of their routine home maintenance program, and you can too.

Contact me for more information on pricing and scheduling your inspection today.

Natural Gas Part 2

Natural Gas prices continued to decline into the month of March. I currently have suppliers that are offering variable rates as low as $5.99/Mcf. Keep in mind that variable rates have outperformed the fixed market rates for about 12 years in a row! For those customers who may be squeamish about a variable rate, please remember two things: (1) Variable rates are worth a try because you are not locked into a contract, and you can change at any time to a fixed rate. and (2) with warmer weather approaching, give it a try….kick the tires and see what it is like. If that isn’t enough to convince you to give it a try, I now have a supplier that offers a fixed rate too. That rate is currently $8.57/Mcf.

Remember, the advantage with using me as your Independent Broker, you have someone watching these prices for you. If you are in one of my variable rate plans and the prices start to climb, I’ll pick up the phone and call……

Natural Gas Prices

I started brokering Natural Gas along with some other items, and I have been able to save many people a lot of money on their monthly gas bill. Some folks don’t get as big of a savings, but anything is better than letting the gas supplier get more than they should! I can’t believe some of the prices that people are paying either. I just recently switched a friend over that was paying over $15.40 per Mcf! That was personally my highest priced customer that I’ve had the pleasure of switching, but I know of other people who have been spending more than that. It’s crazy how the gas suppliers operate. They’ll lower your rate……….if you call them and ask them if you’re in a contract. But why are they waiting for you to call? I’ve seen next door neighbors with the same gas supplier paying different rates! How is that even fair? You would like to think that the gas suppliers would be required to have a level price that is charged to everyone, but that is not the case at all.

I would love to provide you with more information on how I can save you money on your Natural Gas. I don’t charge you for it, in fact you sign up yourself or I can do it for you.

My rates are as follows: For a Fixed Rate = $8.97/Mcf (Feb. 09) and a Variable Rate of $6.75/Mcf.

Call me for details @330-815-0013 or visit me @ www.utilitybrokerstore.com [polldaddy poll=1375857].

Okay, I’m Better

Well I did speak with my Magazine manager, and from all indications I can go back to my “other” version with no trouble. Whew, I’m relieved. The only issues that I will supposedly have are that I won’t be able to see how many visitors I’ve had, and the articles won’t be archived. That last part is a bummer, but I’ll try to figure out something. I do like the look and feel of the previous version as it used my Company colors. The other thing I like about it was that I controlled the content completely. I also think that when it was sent out to my contacts, it didn’t look like spam like the last issue did. So, we’ll see. If you are reading this, and you have gotten my last few eMagazines, let me know which one you prefer. I would certainly appreciate some feedback!

Out of Control

My thoughts on having an on-line magazine that is managed by someone else? Absolutely will drive you crazy! This guy is OUT OF CONTROL. Every time I turn around the format has changed. Everytime the format changes, I spend hours at the computer trying to edit and reload from the previous version. I am not good at that, that is why I paid you to do this for me. Now I have more and more people “unsubscribing” and I don’t blame them. It looks like spam…there I said it! It isn’t of course, but when you see it sitting in your in-box, the first thing you think of is spam-delete! I have some serious complaints with it, and if it doesn’t change, I’m done. I’ll find something or someone else that can manage it for me…..Do YOU understand? (and YOU know who YOU is!!!) I’m starting to feel like using the force…………

She Won, She Won!!!

The Winner

My daughter just won Pre-teen Akron 2008!!!  We are very, very happy for her!

Relax, all is not lost!

Okay, I have to admit that I did think the end of the world was near! C’mon, if you had Tom Brady on your fantasy team you did too when he was lost for the season in the very first game, admit it. I mentioned earlier that I had Jay Cutler as a back-up and thankfully I started him for the 2nd week. He had a career day, yes he did! 38 points for the day, and I smeared my competition. This week I go up against the best team in the league. This guy is whining about other fantasy team owners (I wonder who that could be) blocking trades. Wah, does someone need a bottle? You’ve got the highest scoring team the first 2 weeks with some people trying to block a few trades that you’re trying to make and get stronger and you want to cry? Go ahead and cry baby, cry……….I’ll keep blocking until you’re in my rear view mirror sucking my winning exhaust…………HA! (I’ll leave a nite lite on for ya)

Fantasy – Not!

Ok, I was really looking forward to the kickoff of the football season. I had what looked like a pretty decent team, with a few sleepers that could possibly turn into steals of the undrafted. ie. Ricky Williams.

I got KILLED in the first week!! No reason to panic you say? How about this, my starting QB only got me 4 lousy points, and all of my guys only managed to get me 47 stinkin’ points!

When I drafted, I didn’t put much stock into picking a defensive/special teams unit because they are usually the last to be picked, and there is always a good team available. Well, that didn’t work out as planned either. I even followed some “guru’s” advice from CBS and picked up the Lions DST. Now I know what you’re thinking…(You’re thinking what in the world was I thinking, right?) Keep in mind, this “guru” had the Lions
DST pegged as the #3 or #4 ranked unit for the first week with an estimated 22 points projected..That’s right, they got me 1 point! That’s right 1! Oh, that QB that I mentioned earlier, it get’s better, Tom Brady. Yes I know, he’s out for the season. Luckily I do have Jay Cutler as a back-up and this week I go up against the (so far) worst team from last week. I am fortunate that I can’t play against myself because I don’t think I could beat me!

Stay tuned, I’ll let you know just how bad it get’s.

Another Place to go for Vacation

We just spent one day and night at Woods Tall Timber Lake Resort in New Philadelphia. I have to tell you that this place is FANTASTIC! I guess the park has been around for quite awhile, but that it had closed down for a few years. It re-opened (I believe about 2 or 3 years ago – maybe more) and they are doing everything first class! They have cabins that you can rent that have electric, a/c, ceiling fans, fire rings, picnic tables with umbrellas, you name it. Oh, and they have a staff that is always emptying the trash receptacles at your cabin too! This place is unbelievable! We arrived on Saturday around noon, and had the usual picnic fair. The only thing that was really missing, were the flies and bees! I think I encountered 1 bee and 2 or 3 flies the ENTIRE time we were there. What they do with them, I don’t know, but I would like to learn the secret. We had a nice campfire that evening, and you guessed it, no mosquitos either. They have really got something nice here, and I strongly recommend that you consider this place when planning your next weekend to relax. Check their website out at: http://www.woodstalltimberlake.com/. One other thing I forgot to mention, was that they have very clean and new bath houses and a real nice laundry room as well.