A Reminder to Take Care of Your Gutters, Plus Important Info About Light Fixture Installations

April 2024

Even though each year officially begins on January 1st, doesn't it feel like spring is the real start of the year? It's such a season of new beginnings and fresh starts, especially after a quiet, low-key winter. It makes perfect sense why it FEELS like a new year starting, even though it's not. It's simply spring. One of the best parts of spring is the planting and growing and blooming that is starting to take place. It's everywhere! But before you get the itch to do some yardwork and gardening of your own, be sure to read our first article, below! You'll be glad you did! And remember, we do the little things that never seem to get done, so keep that in mind when you need some help. HRC is always happy to lend a hand!

Before the Mulch Goes Down,

Check Your Gutters!

Before you begin your landscaping and mulching for the season, take a good look around the exterior of your home. If there are valleys that have been carved into the old mulch that may be up against your home's foundation, or if you find piles of it being carried away from where it was originally laid, your soil may not be draining properly, and water may be running towards the house, rather than away. This is a tell-tale sign of gutter issues and/or a possible grading problem. Correct this issue now, before you put new mulch down, or you are destined to see your hard work wash away once more.

Signs that your gutters and downspouts may not be working as they should be include:

Gaps, leaks, holes, cracks, splits, and/or fractures in your gutters. These will only get bigger and will direct water towards, rather than away from, your home's exterior.

Standing water in your gutter. This usually indicates a blockage in the gutter and/or downspout.

Sagging gutters, or gutters that pull away from your house. These can indicate loose, broken, or missing brackets.

Peeling, flaking paint, rotting siding, and/or discoloration of a home's exterior, fascia, or downspouts. This often is caused by exposure to consistent moisture and water damage, and improperly functioning gutters.

Rusted areas of gutters. These will eventually break if not replaced in time.

Mold in your basement, and/or near the top of your home's facade. This may be a sign that your gutters (and possibly your grading) are not working as they should be to carry moisture AWAY from your home, which can cause a wet basement and structural damage. Areas of white or gray crust (efflorescence) on basement walls is another sign of moisture condensing in that area, also caused by gutter and/or downspout issues, and improper grading of the soil around the foundation of your home.

Erosion of soil around your home's foundation. This is a clear sign that your gutters are malfunctioning, which can lead to foundation problems. Be sure to look for signs of shifting, cracking, or even breaking areas of your home's foundation, often caused by broken, leaky gutters that have, over time, caused excess water to seep into the foundation. Improper grading can also be the culprit.

Overflowing gutters, when it rains. This can indicate problems due to an improperly installed gutter system, improper sloping of the gutter, an insufficient gutter size for your home or, you may simply have a leaf or debris-clogged gutter or downspout that needs a good cleaning.

Missing nails/screws found in the area of your yard, below the gutters in your home. These may have come off of an area of your gutters that has come loose.

Damaged or missing gutter guards.

Gutter problems, however small, will only get worse, if ignored. The average life span of aluminum gutters can be well over 20 years IF you keep them clean and stay on top of any repairs and routine maintenance. HRC provides gutter cleaning, maintenance, and repair services, and we recommend sticking with a twice-a-year cleaning schedule (in the late fall and in the spring). Take a good look at your gutters and downspouts now, and look for the signs, above, that your system is in need of some attention. We also install new gutter systems and gutter guards! Take the time to inspect the grading of the soil surrounding your home's foundation, too. It should always slope AWAY from the foundation, to avoid water draining into your home. HRC can help with that, too. Well-maintained gutters, along with proper grading, work hand-in-hand to keep water out of your home. Give us a call if you need a hand!

Installing Your Own Light Fixtures:

A Little "FYI" for This "DIY"

There are times when a seemingly simple task ends up being a little more complicated than you expected. Such is often the case when it comes to installing a new light fixture in your home, and it really comes down to what's in the box.

We wanted to take a moment to talk about the wire nuts (twist-on types of electrical wire connectors) that the fixture manufacturer includes in their packaging (see photo, above). Yes, it's really that simple, but it makes a big difference! New light fixtures usually only come with orange wire nuts, which are generally only rated for two wires, but many of these light fixtures have MORE than two wires. Because of this, the orange wire nuts included with your new light fixture may not be adequate for the installation. Essentially, standard wire nuts come in different shapes and sizes for the application and wire size, and what you find in the box containing your new light fixture may not be what you need to get this job done. If you have little to no knowledge of electrical work, this may be something you are not aware of!

If this Do-It-Yourself (DIY) project is something you'd prefer to leave to a pro, give HRC a call and we'll help you get your new fixture installed!

[To learn more about wire nuts, take a look at the article, "What to Know About Wire Nuts for Electrical Connections", by familyhandyman.com, HERE.]

Get to Know Us Better!

Home Repair and Care has a facebook page! We put reminders for upcoming events and other useful things here! CLICK HERE to follow us. You can even leave a review for HRC! We greatly appreciate hearing some kind words from our long list of terrific customers!

You can also give your review of Home Repair and Care on Google (CLICK HERE!).

We also have a nextdoor account! You can join our neighborhood, HERE. Feel free to "Fave" us and leave a review, also!

Upcoming Events

4/27/24: Somerset County (NJ) Document Shredding Event, Hillsborough, 9am-1pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

5/4/24: Somerset County (NJ) Electronics Waste Event, Hillsborough, 8am-2pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

6/1/24: Hunterdon County (NJ) Document Shredding Event, Flemington, 8am-11:30am. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

6/1/24: Somerset County (NJ) Electronics Waste Event, Hillsborough, 8am-2pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

6/8/24: Mercer County (NJ) Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Waste Event, Lawrence Twp., 8am-2pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

6/15/24: Somerset County (NJ) Household Hazardous Waste Day, Hillsborough, 9am-2pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

6/22/24: Hunterdon County (NJ) Electronics Recycling Event, Flemington, 9am-1pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

6/22/24: Somerset County (NJ) Document Shredding Event, Hillsborough, 9am-1pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

7/6/24: Somerset County (NJ) Electronic Waste Recycling Event, Hillsborough, 8am-2pm. For more information on this event, CLICK HERE!

Bucks County (PA) Electronics Disposal Information. The following is a list of locations for electronics disposal. NOTE: A fee will be charged at these sites. Contact individual locations for further details. For list of locations, CLICK HERE!

April Monthly Maintenance List

Inspect visible pipes for any leaks.
Check area around water heater for any leaks. If you have hard water, drain 1-2 gallons of water.
Check basement and crawl space areas for any signs of dampness/leaks and for any evidence of termites, rodents, etc.
Check electrical wiring for any wear or damage and replace if necessary.
Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms for proper operation.
Inspect driveway and walkways for cracks and tripping hazards. Clean any oil and grease.
If you have a water softener, inspect for proper operation and add salt as needed.
Inspect counter tops for separations at sinks and back splash. Re-caulk where needed.
Inspect tiled areas for loose or missing grout and caulking. Re-grout/re-caulk if necessary.
Inspect shower doors for proper fit and adjust if necessary. Inspect doors and tub enclosures and caulk/re-caulk if necessary.
Remove debris from around cooling system units and clean with garden hose. Clean and replace filters if necessary.
Scrub deck mildewed areas and treat for water stains, mildew and fungus. Seal or stain as needed, usually every 1-3 years for most decks.
Clean windows and inspect screens for damage. Repair as needed.

Thank You!

HRC is always thankful for having such wonderful customers to work with. Owning a home takes a lot of work but, if we work together, we can get it done! We're just a phone call away, so remember: "We do the little things that never seem to get done", and so much more!

Don't forget, we also post tips, reminders and project updates on our social media!